Joan Bailey

1930 - 2017

Joan Bailey, 86, passed away, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, in Fort Worth. Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 at Greenwood Cemetery. Thompson Harveson and Cole providing funeral arrangements. Memorials may be given through Arborlawn United Methodist Church to the "Joan Bailey Helping You Fund," assisting to bridge financial gaps for individuals with an unexpected need, or to the foundation of First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth. Joan Allison Kessler Bailey was born Sept. 27, 1930, in Kansas City, Mo. to Janice May Allison and Edison Ruel Kessler. After Joan graduated from high school, the family moved to Dallas where she enrolled at Southern Methodist University in 1950. She married H. Barry Bailey, who she affectionately called "Pete," and they had two children. Joan was the first of two women to receive an economics degree from SMU. She was very interested in finance, and one year she gave her three young grandchildren stock certificates for their birthdays. She told them to learn from the interest, and to watch and see that their money was working for them. One occasion after being excused from jury duty, and having a free day, Joan enrolled as a full time student at Texas Christian University, which led to her receiving a degree in interior design. She became a member of the American Society of Interior Design, and worked pro bono designing the the office of the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; the home of the president of SMU, for which she received an award from the trustees; The Methodist Children's Home in Waco, as well as the entire facility of First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth. Joan loved to entertain, and once gave a party for 500 people; the entire delegation of Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her family was the center of her life, and she was an ideal, beloved grandmother. She particularly enjoyed games, excelling at table tennis. She rode the twenty six mile "Fort Worth Chisholm Trail Ride," three times, and said she would have gotten off the horse, but wasn't sure she could get back on. She had a great sense of humor. Joan was a women of integrity, honesty, and courage. During her husband's civil trial, years ago, Joan stayed calm, and was a source of strength for the whole family. Things were falling apart on the outside, but she remained steady, and secure on the inside. She said; "We will live above this, let the chips fall as they may. Don't tell me Pete; that you will let what someone says defeat you." She was a member of The Woman's Club of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Garden Club, American Society of Interior Designers, The United Methodist Women (president), she taught Sunday school for the Methodist Church for thirty years, and was a Texas board certified interior designer. The family extends their love and appreciation to the wonderful staff at Colonial Gardens Nursing Home, and especially to Eugenia Hindes, Caty Galvin, Lisa Thomas, and the Lupe San Doval family. Joan is survived by her husband of 66 years, H. Barry Bailey; son, Barry Kessler Bailey (Ms. Debbie Curran); daughter, Janice Allison Bailey Robinson (Dr. Roger Robinson); and her grandchildren, Wesley Lamar Robinson (Dr. Lindsay Robinson), Laura Allison Robinson and Stephanie May Robinson.