Agnes Hensley Bailey, 98, of Big Stone Gap, VA went to be with the Lord on August 1, 2023. She was very proud of her family lineage as part of the Hensley Settlement, now part of the Cumberland Gap National Park.
Agnes was a member of the Big Stone Gap First Christian Church for over 70 years where she will be lovingly remembered for her dedication and service, wherever needed. Agnes was a very active member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a past matron of Big Stone Gap Chapter 157, held state office in the Grand Chapter, and received her 50 year pin in 2007. For many years she was a core member of the local Garden Club, decorating many of the historical buildings in and around Big Stone Gap. She was a licensed beautician, famous for her perms, running her business out of her home, and servicing the residents at Heritage Hall Nursing Home.
In her spare time she enjoyed playing Bridge and as a member of the Powell Valley Country Club, she often golfed with her family and friends, but she truly dedicated her life to caring for others. She was a compassionate caregiver to her father and mother for over 20 years, several brothers, her husband, Ray, her sister, Ann, and cared for her niece, Pat Kennedy, after Ann’s passing, treating Pat as her own daughter.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years William Ray Bailey of Big Stone Gap; her parents Nathaniel and Dora Bell Osborne Hensley; brothers Carson (Parolee), Cody (Ella Mae), Sam (Reba) and Cliff (Martha); sisters Elsie Bledsoe (Lawrence), Estella Gibson (Deb) and Ann Kennedy (Harold); “daughter” Pat Kennedy (Lynn) and her grandson Tommy Woodard, as well as many other special nieces and nephews.
Agnes is survived by her daughter Joyce Gladstone of Kings Mountain, NC; granddaughters Tammy Gladstone (Shawn Locke) of Hollywood, MD; and Michelle Gedney (Kevin Gedney) of Copper Hill, VA; great-granddaughter Lauren Gedney of Washington, D.C.; grandson, Nate Woodard (Ashley) of Alexandria, VA, and a host of special nieces, nephews and friends.
Special thanks given to Pat Kennedy, Gary Kennedy, Janice Scales and Trudy Quiroz for the loving care they extended to Agnes, allowing her to stay in her beloved home in Big Stone Gap for many years after her husband’s passing.
Following the visitation on Saturday, August 12 from 10:00 AM – 11: 00 AM at Gilliam Funeral Home, Big Stone Gap, an Eastern Star Funeral will begin at 11:00 AM. Graveside services immediatley to follow at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens, Big Stone Gap.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Alzheimers Associations at www.alz.org or 225 North Michigan Ave Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Bailey family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.