Ruby Jean Katie Bailey

Ruby Jean Mitchell Bailey, affectionately called Katie first by her late husband A. D. Bailey and thereafter by friends and family, was born October 15, 1931 in Stilwell, Oklahoma to Thomas Aquilla Mitchell and pearl Ellen Brannon Mitchell. In May 1950 she married Arvel Bailey, Jr., and together they had three daughters and one son. She passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2015 in Mcalester, Oklahoma. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers, and three sisters, and twin great-grandsons. Her survivors are daughter Anne Coleman and husband Ronald of McAlester, along with their children: daughter Jeana Downing and husband Cliff of Wilburton, and great-grandchildren Tristan Fanshier, and Baylee Downing, step-grandsons Robert Watters, Chris and Nancy Watters and great-great-granddaughter Destiny Watters; A son Travis Coleman and his wife Kara of Singapore. Another daughter Patsy Singleton and her husband Larry of Checotah with granddaughters Katie King and her husband Kyle of Checotah with great-grandchildren Kaleb, Korbin, and Kamryn. Amy Singleton and great-grandchildren Brennan, Audra, and Christopher of Checotah; and Julie Singleton of Ada. A son, Steve Bailey of Houston, and granddaughters Lydia Rhine and her husband Jason of Houston, and Eden Bailey of Ada, and their mother and Katie's daughter-in-love Deborah Criswell Bailey. And youngest daughter Linda Vires and her husband C. J. of Henderson, Tennessee, with their children: Mindy Vires of Kenton, Tennessee; Josh Vires and wife Kimberly, and great-granddaughter Baileigh of Houston, Texas; as well as granddaughters Katona Kate Vires and Alexandra Vires of the home. Two sisters-in-law, Eulean Bailey Reed of Henryetta and Patsy Bailey of Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to these, Katie is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and unnumbered friends and church family. After graduating from Stilwell High School at age 16, Katie attended Connors State College from 1947-1950 where she met and married her husband of 57 years. After college she worked as an executive secretary for Sun Oil Company in Tulsa. When her children were grown, she again worked as an executive secretary for the First National Bank of Henryetta until her retirement. She worked beside her husband on their farm in the Ryal community for over 40 years. Katie was active in the community with By Scouts, Business and Professional Women, and she and her husband were instrumental in establishing the Salem Rural Water District. She taught many Bible classes and served in numerous ways with the Henryetta Church of Christ. Whether you called them Jr. and Kate, or Katie and Bailey, or Jean and Bailey, or Granny and Pawpaw, you always referred to them together. They loved to sing and gave that love of music to all their children. Katie loved to sing with her family whether it was in church, or a nursing home, or on stage, or around the kitchen table. Music was one of her legacies. Katie was a lady. Hospitable, helpful, lovely and kind. She loved her husband and served her family with every fiber of her being and saw to it that each one knew the Lord she followed so wholeheartedly, and that they all have a song in their hearts. Visitation will be on Friday from 2-8pm with family greeting friends from 7-8pm at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Cliff Downing, Josh Vires, Kaleb King, Kyle King, Korban King, & Tristan Fanshier. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Bailey, Red Coleman, Larry Singleton, Benny Hamilton, & Charles Hallford. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 19, 2015 at the Church of Christ, 5th & Broadway, Henryetta with Red Coleman, Josh Vires and Rex Walcher officiating. Interment will follow in Salem Cemetery under direction of Integrity Funeral Service.