Elizabeth Anne Johnson Bailey

 Elizabeth Anne Johnson Bailey, age 85, of Malesus, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 22, 2024, surrounded by her family. 

 Anne was born on April 20, 1939, in Malesus, Tennessee to the late Arthur Johnson Sr. and Ruth Johnson. She graduated in the first class of South Side High School in 1957. She graduated from Union University in 1961 with a B.A. Degree in Business and was a member of Chi Omega sorority. 

She married Wilbur Davis Bailey in June 1961 at Malesus Baptist Church. They were married for more than 63 years. She loved her family and friends, and loved to cook for them on holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. She also enjoyed working in the yard and spending special time with her children and grandsons. 

She spent 32 years as a dedicated teacher, one year each at Bells High School and Malesus High School, and the rest of her teaching career at South Side High School, until her retirement in 1993. 

Anne was a devoted member of Malesus Baptist Church, where she played the organ and piano off and on from the time she was in high school up until her passing. She served faithfully playing the organ for the last 40 years. She also served as Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, sang in the choir and musicals, and served on multiple committees. Anne loved serving the Lord and did not want to miss a church service. Since 2007, she has served as Secretary and as Board Member for Malesus Ebenezer Cemetery. 

Anne is survived by her best friend and husband: Wilbur Davis Bailey; two children: daughter, Mitzi Bailey Kirk and husband Larry, and son, Mike Bruce Bailey and wife Terri; two grandchildren: Connor Johnson Kirk, and Bailey Davis Kirk; brother: Arthur Johnson Jr, sister-in-law: Peggy Bailey Robinson, nieces: Denise Robinson Bell and Jill Johnson, and nephews: Greg Robinson and Arthur Johnson III (“Chip”). Other special family members include Will Bell III and Kendall, Bailey Bell and Anna, Parker Bell and Lacy, Palmer Bell, Hayes Bell, Drew Johnson and Abby, Haley Haltom Couch, Cody Haltom, Mary Stephen Hudson Shock, and Joe Hudson. 

Services: The funeral service will be held at 12pm on Friday, December 27. 2024 at Malesus Baptist Church with Bro. Mark Cagle officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 10am until the time of the service. A graveside service will follow at Malesus Ebenezer Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to: Malesus Baptist Church, 480 Old Malesus Rd., Jackson, TN 38301 or online to www.malesus.org/give or to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 173, Jackson, TN 38302 or online at www.gideons.org/donate