Merian Bailey

Merian Louise Shirley Bailey went home to be with her Lord on July 21, 2021 at the age of 88. She was born on April 17, 1933 to Charles Edgar Shirley and Bertha Norene Yeager Shirley in Pineville, MS. She graduated from Pineville High School and lived in the Pineville Community until she married. She was united in marriage to S.M. "Pete" Bailey Jr. on November 16, 1951. They were blessed with two children, Tony and Pam.

Merian was a longtime employee of Sanders School for  Cerebral Palsy and Willowood Developmental Center where she worked until her retirement in 1998.

Merian was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, MS where she taught Sunday School and Girls Auxillary. In 1988, Merian and Pete moved to Brandon, MS. They joined Crossgates Baptist Church where she served in various capacities. Her Christian life was as beautiful as the flowers she loved to grow. Her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, S.M. Bailey Jr.; son, Tony Dewayne Bailey; granddaughter, Catherine Nicole Bailey; son in law, Doug Robbins; brothers, Charles Shirley, Davis Shirley, Freddie Shirley and sisters, Doris Nelson, Viva Simmons and Linda Kral.

Merian's beautiful life and the love she shared will be forever cherished in the lives of her daughter, Pamela K. Robbins of Brandon, MS; daughter in law, Cathy Bailey of Flora, MS; nine grandchildren, Tyler Robbins (Brittany) of Williamsburg, IN, Zachary Robbins (Blythe) of Connersville, IN, Amanda Bailey of Fairfax, VA, Lauren Thigpen (Jordan) of Flora, MS and Jay McDaniel (Lily) of Madison, MS; seven great grandchildren, Braden, Jaden, Raelan, Reed, Madalyn, Adeline and Breelyn; brothers, Tommie Shirley (Betty) and Hal Shirley (Velma) as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS on Tues. July 27, 2021 from 5pm-7pm and on Wed. July 28, 2021 from 10am-10:45am. Funeral Services are 11am on Wed. July 28, 2021 at the Ott & Lee Funeral Home Chapel in Brandon, MS. There will be no graveside service.