Neoma Marie Bailey, of Fairdealing, Kentucky, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 18, 2024, in Benton, Kentucky, following a lengthy battle with cancer. Born in Crawford County, Illinois, she had also lived in northwest Indiana for a time prior to settling in the Benton area with her family. She was 88 years old.
Neoma was born on February 2, 1936, to Roy E. McCarter and Ruth M. (Purcell) McCarter. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, William “Bill” Bailey, and by son Terry (and Marilou) Bailey, daughter Dawn (and Mike) Mohler, her grandchildren Jered (and Felisha) Bailey, Taleah (and Eddie) McGuire, Michelle Bailey, and Bailey Mohler. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren who all share wonderful memories of her and will miss her terribly. Neoma was preceded in death by her second son Curtis Bailey.
Upon graduating high school in 1954, Neoma began work with Western Union in Chicago. Shortly afterward, she and Bill, who was in the US Air Force at the time, married and began their life which included an assignment to Fairbanks, Alaska. They later moved to Indiana, where she returned to Western Union for a short time before quitting to dedicate her time to raising a new family. In 1978, she and Bill moved to the Benton area with Curtis and Dawn where they had purchased a Grocery and Gas business in Fairdealing. They named it 5-B Grocery and operated it successfully for several years, not only receiving business accolades but, most importantly, establishing long-lasting friendships with neighbors and other community members.
Neoma’s faith was her rock. It’s what kept her anchored to all other important things in her life, including family, purpose, and community. She and Bill have been active members of the Olive Missionary Baptist Church, where she volunteered much of her time and helped organize weekly dinners for many years as well as dinners for families going through times of sorrow or need. She also used her time to assist or comfort others when needed and often volunteered to help with the Clothes Closet at the Blood River Baptist Association. Neoma was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Kentucky Lake Auxiliary 1084.
At the age of 51, Neoma achieved an associate degree in Specialized Business Accounting, which helped her progress at her job with an industrial facility in Calvert City, from which she retired. Later, she filled some of her available time by taking a position at the Kenlake Lodge near Aurora. Neoma also found joy and purpose as a long-time representative with Mary Kay Cosmetics – a company she admired and took pride in due to the religious convictions of its founder.
At the heart of Neoma's life was her role as a homemaker. She was the wife, mother, grandmother, and neighbor who showered anyone coming to her home with warmth, love, and food. She always managed to have something prepared or ready to prepare. The smell of soups, casseroles, and other specialty dishes was common, but she also excelled in creating Christmastime baked goods and candies, as well as other holiday treats that she loved to share with children and adults alike.
Neoma Bailey has finished her walk here, with us, with the same grace and love that she carried throughout her life and she has begun a new one in the company of family and loved ones that have gone before. She will be deeply missed by many but as those close to her say their goodbyes and hold the memories close, they may rest assured that she’ll be there to greet them and share the peace and beauty that awaits.
No formal or public services are to be scheduled at this time. The family requests that in lieu of sending flowers or gifts, donations be made to the Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 4611 Olive Hamlet Road, Hardin, Kentucky, 42048, or to the Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.
Filbeck-Cann Funeral Home of Benton is handling all arrangements.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.filbeckandcann.com.
