Betty Louise Wimer Bailey

Born August 27, 1929 in Mercer, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Frank and Marguerite Wimer. She grew up in Sharon, Pennsylvania and lived there until she married Bruce A. Bailey in 1950 and they moved from Sharon to Athens, Georgia in 1957.

Betty had a long and happy career as an elementary school teacher and school counselor. She taught in Pennsylvania and in Georgia, and her last years as an educator were at Oglethorpe Elementary School in Athens. She never lost her love of working with students, even volunteering as a reading mentor with students at Clarke Middle School in Athens when she was well into her 80’s.

Betty and Bruce were active members at the churches they attended. After moving to Athens, they first attended Young Harris Memorial United Methodist Church, and then later attended Chapelwood United Methodist Church. At Chapelwood, Betty served multiple times on the Administrative Council, and she and Bruce were longtime members of the Homick’s Sunday School Class.

Her years of community service included over 9000 hours of volunteering with Saint Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary, serving as their President from 1988-89. She was recognized as Woman of the Year by Athens Business and Professional Women’s Club in 1969, and she was a long-time active member of the Athens Junior Women’s Club and of UGA’s Learning in Retirement (now OLLI).

Bruce and Betty were avid world travelers testified by 64 international trips touching all seven continents. A favorite agenda was to start in London to take in the theatre and pubs then venture out into the English, Irish, Welsh, and Scottish country sides. An especially meaningful part of her life was participating in a long-time bridge group that stayed together for decades. These friends did more than play bridge, but shared vacations, weddings, and birthdays together.

Betty was a huge Georgia Bulldog fan. She and Bruce had season tickets to UGA football and basketball games, and they never missed an opportunity to cheer on the Dawgs. In her later years, she had a radio in her home that was only set to one station—the one that allowed her to hear the Dawgs play.

Her beloved Bruce, husband of 65 years, preceded her in death. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Debora Bailey and Russell Moose of Huntsville, AL; son and daughter-in law Craig and Becky Bailey of Loveland, OH; son and daughter-in-law Doug and Peggy Bailey of Athens, GA; grandson and granddaughter-in-law Matthew Roth and Tyler Case and great-granddaughter Silence of Raleigh, NC; grandson and granddaughter-in-law Stephen and Lindsey Bailey of Athens, GA; granddaughter Jessica Bailey of Cincinnati, OH; grandson and granddaughter-in-law Christopher and Kaitlyn Roth of Huntsville, AL; and grandson Brian Bailey of Cincinnati, OH.

She also leaves in good care with her family, her Shetland Sheepdog Brydie, who was a comfort and pleasure to her always.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 28, at 10:30 a.m., at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 100 Janice Drive, Athens, Georgia.

Betty’s family would like to give a special thanks and heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Arbor Terrace and Bridgeway Hospice.

To honor Betty’s memory, donations may be made to either St. Mary’s Auxiliary or to Chapelwood United Methodist Church, both in Athens, Georgia.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com