RUBY LUCILLE BAILEY
Ruby Lucille Bailey, 91, of Mexia, passed away Dec. 2, 2019, at Mexia LTC.
Ms. Bailey was born July 12, 1928, in Oletha, to Albert and Belle Roberts Lewis, and lived in Limestone County all of her life.
She graduated from Prairie Hill High School in 1945 as salutatorian. Ms. Bailey was a member of First United Methodist Church of Mexia for 39 years. During that time she served on the P.P.R. committee twice and has served as president and as a Sunshine Girl for the Upper Room Sunday School Class. She also served on the Governing Board of the Methodist Pre-School and belonged to the Adult Fellowship at both Mexia and Groesbeck Methodist Church.
Ms. Bailey worked more than 28 years at Mexia State School before retiring in July 1983 as a Food Service Manager. During her employment at the Mexia State School she served as president of T.P.E.A. Chapter No. 56 in 1979 and 1980, and as president of Region VI in 1981. Ms. Bailey also served on the Volunteer Council of Mexia State School from 1999 to 2003. They had several money-making projects to raise money to pay for things for the clients that the state does not furnish.
Ms. Bailey moved from Mexia across the river to Groesbeck in June of 1998.
She was accepted into the Cynthia Ann Garden Club in the year of 2000 and served as president of that club from 2003 to 2005. During that time Ms. Bailey started the Civic Pride Award to be given to a Groesbeck business each month. She also served on numerous other committees – like the Year Book Committee, the Yard of the Month Committee and helped each year with the Christmas Lighting Contest, which is co-sponsored by the Groesbeck Chamber of Commerce. She served on a committee to help start the New City Park in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins.
Ms. Bailey also belonged to the Groesbeck Woman’s Club and served as treasurer during a complete renovation of the Woman’s Building. In addition to this, she also belonged to a Hospice Support Group for widows who met twice a month for lunch, and a Coffee Group which is a group of ladies who met once a week in the morning at the Methodist Church for coffee. Ruby and Joe were members of Bi-Stone Travelers Club for many years, and she truly enjoyed their camping trips with all the couples in the club.
Ms. Bailey’s hobby was working in her yard and serving others. She also had a great little companion named Pumpkin, who was a 16-year-old poodle. Ruby was a devoted mother, making many sacrifices for her children through the years. Ruby Bailey was a very busy lady…
Ms. Bailey was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Belle Roberts Lewis; husband Joe Bailey; brothers Jack Lewis and John Lewis; sisters Edna Merl Lewis and Ruthie Pearl Lewis; and her first husband and father of her children, James Copeland Sr.
She is survived by her sons, James E. “Jimmy” Copeland Jr. and wife Brenda, and Buddy Copeland and wife Sharon; daughters Becky McDonald and husband Bobby, and Connie Colón and husband Joe; grandchildren Kim Boyd and husband Todd, Kevin Copeland and wife Starla, Jenny Phillips and husband Cliff, Julie Tindell and husband Steven, Jaime Stimmel and husband Kenny, Jeffrey McDonald, Ginger Funk and husband Brad, Brandi Dickerson and husband James, and Casey Ebbett and husband Jon; 25 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; nephew Charles Lewis and wife Judy, and countless friends.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Mexia, with Pastor Max Burkhead officiating. Interment was to follow at Ferguson Cemetery in Oletha. Visitation was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Corley-Porter Funeral Home in Mexia, 5 to 7 p.m.
Serving as pallbearers were Todd Boyd, Kevin Copeland, Cliff Phillips, Steven Tindell, Kenny Stimmel, Brad Funk, James Dickerson and Jon Ebbett.
Honorary pallbearers were her great-grandsons.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of Mexia or any charity of your choice.
An online guest book is available at corleyporterfuneralhome.com and by selecting the Ruby Bailey obituary.
Corley-Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
