Virginia Elease Bailey, age 82, of Bernice, LA, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, April 22, 2024. Elease was born on July 2, 1941 to Marvin and Virginia Roberts. She was preceded in death by her husbands, James Billy Lemmon and Harold Dean Bailey; her parents, Marvin and Virginia Roberts; her brother, Tommy Roberts; and her nephew, Dennis Temple. 

Elease and James Billy were married at a young age. James Billy was called home by the Lord at a young age. After his passing, Elease obtained her Licensed Practical Nurse license and worked as a nurse for many years. In 1979 she married the second love of her life, Harold Bailey.  From a young age, Elease felt a calling from God on her life to be a preacher.  Her and Harold held several churches over the years and made a big impact on many lives during their years of ministry. After Harold passed away in 2014, Elease moved to Homer then to Bernice. She was loved by many and always had a smile and a kind word for anyone she met. Elease loved to share her love for Jesus wherever she went.

She is survived by her sister, Eloise “Sis” Temple (husband Jim) of Crossett, AR; her nephew, Jeff Temple (Cheryl) of White Hall, AR; her niece, Beth Jones of Bernice, LA; along with numerous other nieces, nephews, family members, and friends. She had a lifelong friend, Norma Savage that she loved dearly.

A special thanks to Reeves Memorial Medical Center's staff for making her feel loved and cared for in her last weeks of life. A special thanks to Margaret and Ashley Smith for helping take care of her, take her shopping, and going out to eat.

Pallbearers were William Smith, Chase Smith, Steven Jones, Kevin Jones, Keith Gray, and Michael Brandon.

In lieu of flowers honoring Elease, her family request memorials be made to Abundant Life Holiness Church Building Fund, 537 Hwy 167, Bernice, LA 71222. 

A funeral service were held for Elease at Abundant Life Holiness Church, 537 Hwy 167, Bernice, LA, on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Rev. Jeff Temple and Rev. David Fetner, . Interment was at Holly Ridge Cemetery. Visitation was Friday at the church from 10-11 a.m., prior to the service.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel  (318) 927-6110