Obituary of Mary Lee Bailey

Mary Lee Bailey was born February 27, 1933, in Trenton Tennessee, the oldest of 6 children born to Ardie Lee  & Albert Willis. Mary Lee was preceded in death by her mom, Ardie Lee Willis, Dad Albert Willis, and her late husbands Aubrey Avery, Excell Bailey, and her two sisters Viola Smith and Sarah Francis Willis 

Mary Lee married her first Husband Aubrey Avery in 1951 out of the union 2 children were born, Aubrey Avery Jr, & Jerry Lynn Avery Mary Lee married her second husband Excell Bailey in Kalamazoo Michigan. Excell and Mary lived on the North side of Kalamazoo for their entire life while being involved in their local community. 

Mary Lee accepted Christ at an early age coming from a very spiritual family. 

Mary Lee, as she affectionately likes to be called, who was also quick to correct you if you did not call her by both her first and middle name. She uses to say there are way too many Mary Bailey's in Kalamazoo. 

Mary Lee attended and graduated public school in Trenton Tennessee at Rosenwald High School where she also played basketball. 

Mary Lee worked as a Food Service Supervisor at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile home for over 21 years and 6 months while working many jobs in her life to ensure support of her family including her sisters and brother when their mom passed away when she was only 16 years old. She was a lover of family and life especially her siblings. 

Mary Lee leaves to cherish her memory, two sons, Aubrey Avery Jr.  Jerry Lynn Avery (Tina) of Kalamazoo Michigan, her two sisters Mary Nell Fayne, and Ophelia Harris, of Cleveland Ohio and one brother Albert Leon Willis, of Columbus Ohio,  and one sister in law, Betty Sue Adams of Highland Hills, Ohio.

Grandchildren, LaTonya Palm of Atlanta Georgia, Brian Edwards, Elaine Avery,  Jerrame Avery, Avery all of Kalamazoo Michigan

Great Grandchildren, Kiara Pratt Palm, of Atlanta Georgia, Nakeya Edwards, of Macomb Michigan, Sabrina, Savannah, Saniya, Kennedy of Kalamazoo Michigan. 

Mary Lee was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church some years after she moved to Kalamazoo. The later years Mary Lee was ill and unable to attend church, however, she never lost her strong spiritual belief in God. Mary Lee also song in the choir at Mount Zion Baptist Church.  

Mary Lee loved traveling around the country, which inspired her son's to travel as well. She also enjoyed playing bingo with all of her friends and loved ones as she referred to them as her road dogs.

Mary Lee loved to cook and was an excellent pastry chef. Cooking was her life love. 

One of her many passions was her desire to help her family, friends, and strangers, from the time she was a little girl to an adult. Her love of community was recognized by the State of Tennessee, as she received a Certificate of Recognition, and Proclamation, from the Tennessee House of  Representatives.

Mary Lee was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 8, 2018. Her faith, her strength, and her unwavering belief in God took her home again to be with her creator. 

On behalf of our family, loved ones, and friends thank you for your prayers, thought, And support.