Mildred Louise Bailey

Charlotte – Mildred Crayton Bailey, 89 (January 4, 1924) left her earthly shell Monday morning, July 15, 2013 to join her mother and father, Mary Louise Crayton and Thomas Walter Crayton and her first born and infant son Thomas Edwin Bailey, as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins for the ultimate family reunion and home going.

She is survived by her sister Ruth Elizabeth Munday and beloved niece Eloise Hicks (Bill) of Charlotte; her children: Daniel “Chipp” Bailey (Sharon) of Matthews, Ruth Elizabeth Bailey of Charlotte, Janice Bailey Laws (Jim) of Greensboro and Lisa Bailey Corbitt (Chris) of Matthews; grandchildren: Jeremy and Patrick Bailey, Daniel Eskridge and Elizabeth Moll (Rick), Michael and Jason Laws, and Matthew and Tyler Corbitt; great grandchildren, Landon and Olivia Moll.

During World War II, Mildred was the first woman ever hired by the Albemarle, NC Police Department. She served that agency until the soldiers began coming home at which time she gave up her position as a Desk Sergeant to a former police officer wounded during the War. He wasn’t able to return as a patrol officer so she asked the Captain if he could take her job. The Captain assisted her in finding a new job at the local hospital assisting surgical nurses, but Mildred’s primary career centered on raising her four children, which she did exceedingly well. During her children’s formative years she was always the first person up to make sure everyone ate breakfast before school and the last to bed, making sure her home was spotless. After her children were grown, she took the job of Executive Secretary to the Director of the Methodist Childrens’ Home in Winston-Salem. She served in that capacity for seventeen years before retiring to spend time with her children and grandchildren.

As the wife of a Methodist minister she lived in many communities throughout North Carolina, moving nearly every four years. In every locale she became known as a wonderful baker, often being asked to bake special doll cakes for birthday girls and train cakes for birthday boys. She was a self-taught artist and excellent seamstress. She spent her last years enjoying the many friendships made at Aldersgate Retirement Community, where she loved to paint and do ceramics. She always took time to remember people through notes and cards, most designed by her.

A special thanks to all at Aldersgate and Asbury Care Center for their tender attention and loving care provided to her. A private service celebrating her life will be held on Friday morning. In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be made to the Mother’s Day Fund at Aldersgate, the Methodist Childrens’ Home in Winston Salem or to a charity of one’s choosing.

McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel is serving the family.