Betty Ann (White) Bailey passed away in St Petersburg, FL on April 16, 2021 due to unexpected complications after recent hip surgeries. She was 85 and until the last few weeks lived a full independent life.

She was born June 2, 1935, the youngest of 13 children during the Great Depression in the mountains outside Charleston, WV.

Though she suffered much loss in her life — having lost her parents at a young age and predeceased by 11 of her 12 siblings and her husband of 58 years — she never complained about hardship, not wanting to be a burden to others, even as she grieved the loss of her husband 3 1/2 years ago. Her motto, often repeated in the face of adversity, was always "everything happens for a reason." She could find purpose and maintained optimism in even the most difficult of situations.

She was as sympathetic, kind, and non-judgmental a person as you could meet, always supportive, even if she wasn't personally convinced you were making the best decision. Her home was always the home where her children's friends were welcomed and well fed; many maintained contact with her until her death. Her connection with her grandchildren was open and deep; they adored her, and she adored them.

She was resilient in her successful response to clinical trial treatments for bone marrow cancer the last 4 1/2 years, long beyond what anyone expected.

She studied education at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, before moving to Pensacola, FL, to teach at Pensacola Christian School. In 1959, while in Pensacola, she met and married her husband Bill after dating for only 3 months.  Their 58-year marriage was a great example of love, commitment, patience, and support.

Betty and Bill had 3 children in 4 years while moving around the southeast for Bill's job, eventually settling in the Space Coast of Florida so the children could attend school. Betty taught middle and high school English for over 30 years, primarily at DeLaura Junior High School in Satellite Beach.

In 1995, they retired to Crestview, FL, staying for over 20 years and developing close friendships at Crestview Baptist Church. Their final few years were spent in St. Petersburg FL, happily near family and friends and where Betty could begin treatment at Moffit Cancer Center after being diagnosed with bone marrow cancer (MDS). After Bill's death in 2017, Betty settled at Westminster Shores Retirement Community where she thrived and met her best friend, Genie Terrell.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William Bailey.

She is survived by children, William Bailey Jr., Linda Bailey, and Robert Bailey; grandchildren, Christina Bailey, Angela Tringas, Zachary Brigham, Zoe Brigham, Bennett Bailey, and Evelyn Bailey; great grandchild, Sophia Tringas; sister, Lily Oatfield; son-in-law, Joseph Brigham and daughter-in-law, Lydia Bailey.

A visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until the funeral service begins at 2:30 pm Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Clinical Trials Office (CTO) Myeloid Team, Moffit Cancer Center, www.moffitt.org .