Mary M. (Tallant) Bailey, the daughter of Charles Fleming and Polly Edith (Reneer) Tallant was born April 28, 1924 in Phelps City, Missouri. She attended the Phelps City School in her youth.

On April 6, 1940, Mary was united in marriage to William D. Bailey. During World War II, they lived in Seattle, Washington, where Mary worked at a munitions factory, supporting the war effort. Mary was a true homemaker. She raised their family of 8 children; Mary Ann, Betty Jane, William D. Jr., Sue, Donna Faye, Edith, Charlie Ross, and Edward Leroy, and often said all she needed was her children.

They moved several times throughout the years, but Mary always considered “home” to be the Phelps City and Rock Port area. She passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Rock Port, at the age of 84 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sons-in-law, Horace Avrett and Lester Maddox, two brothers and four sisters.

Mary is survived by her husband of 68 years, William D. Bailey, Sr., Rock Port; children, Mary Ann Avrett, Fairfax, Missouri, Betty Jane Cook, and husband, Sonny, Rock Port, William D. Bailey, Jr. and wife, Ernestene, Sherivon, Arkansas, Sue Jochim, and husband, Albert, Platte City, Missouri, Donna Faye Maddox, Phelps City, Edith Peters and Bill Willis, Hamburg, Iowa, Charlie Ross Bailey and wife, Judy, Auburn, Nebraska, and Edward Leroy Bailey, Panama City, Florida, 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 4 great great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside Services and Interment: 10:00 AM, Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Hunter Cemetery, Rock Port.
There will be no scheduled family visitation.
Memorials: Walk Of Honor – Atchison County Memorial Building
Services under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.