Jaunita B. Bailey

Jaunita B. Bailey, 83, passed away Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Visitation will begin with the rosary being said Wednesday, March 22 from 6-8 p.m. at Warren McElwain Mortuary. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 23, 2017 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Holy Angel Cemetery in Garnett, Kansas.

Jaunita Bernadine (Pickert) Bailey, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, was born February 13, 1934 in Scipio, Kansas, the seventh of eight children of Christopher Pickert and Lucy Wassmer Pickert. She graduated from Richmond High School in the class of 1952. In 1955, she married Russell Bailey and spent her life making a beautiful home for her family. Before having children, she enjoyed caring for nieces, nephews and friends’ children. However, her greatest joy came when God gave her two daughters, and her greatest sorrow came with the sudden death of her daughter, Gina, in 2009. She was very close to her grandchildren and never failed to listen, give advice and pray for them.

As a faith-filled Catholic, she devoted many hours to St. John’s Parish Altar Society, working funeral dinners, laundering altar linens, cleaning the church and praying for others. An amazing cook, she delighted in making meals with garden produce, canning vegetables, fruits and jellies and baking bread weekly for her family. For many years she participated in the Kaw Valley EHU, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Bible study prayer groups, and Marriage Encounter groups with many dear, life-long friends.

She saw God in nature, and spent many hours gardening, taking walks and enjoying beauty outdoors. She devoted many hours to quiet contemplation, praying for family and friends, and reading spiritual literature. She loved to gather flowers and arrange beautiful bouquets into centerpieces that adorned the table always.

Survivors include her husband, Russell, of the home, and daughter, Lisa (Boyd) Bauman of Overland Park; grandchildren Don, Kelli (James) and Caitlin; Jessie (John), Erin, Michael, Haven and Milly; and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters: Katy Vodopest and Theresa (George) Fagg.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributing to a charity of choice, or memorial contributions can be made in Jaunita’s name to the St. John Building Project and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.