Lola Mae Bailey

Lola Mae Bailey died Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Beehive Home where she had lived for the last 4 ½ years. She was born June 14, 1920 in Riverdale, Idaho to Lorenzo and Sylvia Wright. She would have celebrated her 99th birthday in June.

She grew up on a farm up Cub River Canyon outside Preston, Idaho with 5 brothers and 1 sister. She climbed every mountain up that canyon, and she rode her horse to school. Her greatest adventure as a young girl was when she and some of her girlfriends hitchhiked to Salt Lake City. They went to a relative’s home who immediately sent them home on the mail truck.

She met her future husband, Roy Bailey, on the street in Preston. He was from Marion, Ohio and was serving with the Civilian Conservation Corps near Preston. He was smitten right away with her, but she said if he wanted to date her, he would have to learn how to dance. One of her girlfriends taught him how to dance and then they started going to all of the dances together. They got married on March 18, 1939 in Preston. Roy knew the local taxi driver and he hired him to drive them to Ohio. Roy felt he could gain better employment back in Marion, Ohio.

A son was born to them in Marion in 1941 but passed away shortly after birth. Four years later in 1945, their first set of twin girls were born (Sharon and Shirley). They were born in Logan, Utah as she was back in Preston, Idaho since Roy was in Germany during World War II. He didn’t see them until he came home in 1946. They remained in Idaho, and 3 years later (in 1948) another set of twin girls was born (Joyce and Joylene). Economic necessity caused them to move back to Marion, Ohio shortly thereafter. They lived there until they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1958 for Roy’s employment.

Lola enjoyed being a mother and a homemaker. She was a great cook and took wonderful care of her children and husband. She was also very happy to be able to help take care of her grandchildren.

She loved to travel and collected tea sets and small pitchers from the different countries they visited. She had 5 china cupboards filled with dishes, figurines, and tea sets. Those were all happily passed on to the daughters and grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, and embroidery. Both she and Roy enjoyed bowling and she was bowling on 2 leagues until she was 92 years old. Roy’s dance lessons paid off as they danced every Saturday night at the Elks Club.

Roy passed away in 2002. Although she missed him tremendously, she continued to lead an active life. She is survived by 4 children, 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.