Betty Clara Bailey

Betty Clara Beers Graham Bailey was born in Lincoln, NE July 5, 1922. In her 101-year life, she experienced much. She is survived by her children Gerry Graham, Jim Bailey, Carol Jones, and Judy Bender, and their families which include nine grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Growing up she had two brothers, Leonard Beers, Jr, Jim Beers and her sister Billie. She had spunk. One day her brothers came home having been beaten up by the neighborhood bully. She wasted no time in finding the bully and gave him back some of his own medicine. Purportedly, they had to pull her away from him as she was pounding his head into the pavement. Needless to say, her brothers weren’t bothered again. This spunk and fearlessness followed her throughout her life.

As her daughter Judy Jay states. “Mom was the strongest person I've ever known.” “She navigated war, beat cancer, and set a foundation that connected 4, very different kids, and their children together.” “Just sustaining that, for over 40 years, has me in awe of her ability to maintain relationships.” “Further, she put up with all of her kids' failed relationships, lost both husbands that she cherished, and to the end could make me laugh.”

Attending business school after graduating from Lincoln High School, she met Shirl Orby Graham. They were married December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor Day). Gerald Graham was born in El Centro, CA in February 1943. Soon thereafter Shirl was shipped overseas to fight the Japanese in WWII. From then until the end of the war, Betty raised Gerry living in Nebraska and Oklahoma. When the war was over, she was reunited with Shirl in Seattle, WA. In April 1947 their daughter Carol Lynn was born. Shortly thereafter, the two of them decided Shirl should go to Graduate school. After a short stint in Prosser WA, they moved the family to Pullman WA where Shirl completed graduate school and Betty worked in the Purchasing Department for WSU.

After getting his doctorate in Plant Pathology, Shirl worked for the university teaching and doing research. Betty continued to work for the university becoming head buyer in the purchasing department. Developing many lasting friends while living in Pullman both Shirl & Betty loved playing bridge and dancing. Betty loved The Lord. For many years, she taught 3rd grade Sunday School classes. Her daughter, Carol, remembers how significant her first Bible was that she and all 3rd graders received from Betty.

Betty was a list keeper. Everything that needed to be done was put on the list. This included “the chores” she assigned the family. It taught all of us the importance of setting priorities.

In November 1963, their second daughter, Judy Jay was born. Thereafter, Gerry and Carol graduated from WSU and went on with their lives. Meanwhile Shirl & Betty raised Judy Jay and continued a robust life in Pullman.

Shirl contracted colon cancer in the early 1970’s and passed away in September 1976. True to her strengths and conviction, Betty became involved helping those with lost loved ones. She established a widow’s support group that met weekly.

Focused on work and raising a fatherless young daughter, Betty decided to take up her lifelong ambition to become a pilot. While getting her license, she met Bill Bailey from Coeur d’ Alene, ID. He had recently sold his ranch in Worley, ID. After retiring from her job with WSU, she married Bill. She and Judy moved to Coeur d’ Alene. Betty always claimed she “was so lucky to have met and married two great men in her life.”

Bill’s son Jim and his family were added to Betty’s family.

Betty and Bill had a cabin on Lake Coeur d’ Alene. Much of their summers were spent there with family. Many family reunions were held at the cabin where family and friends would spend The 4th of July with them.

Judy attended and graduated from The University of Idaho and went on with her life.

Betty and Bill spent many hours flying their two airplanes making many trips across the US. They loved to travel in their motorhome, as well, making trips every year during the winter to the southwest.

Betty was a leader in the 99’s woman's flying group. She volunteered at the cancer center in Coeur d’ Alene. She and Bill traveled to Greece, Mexico, Australia, and other places around the world, as well as going on many cruises. She kept her health by getting on the treadmill daily and doing her mile. She volunteered to help the homeless families at the Coeur d Alene Presbyterian church, cleaned and cooked for them on a monthly schedule, and helped put the nursery back together before Sunday mornings. Both Betty & Bill were extremely generous donating to multiple philanthropic organizations.

In 2014, Betty & Bill moved to Mesa, AZ where they joined Betty’s son & daughter as well as her grandsons and their families.

Bill passed away in March 2018 and Betty continued to live in Mesa until she peacefully passed away on April 24, 2024.