Belle Bailey

1936 - 2022

Belle Bailey
December 3, 2022
Mebane, North Carolina - Belle Mitchell Bailey, passed away at the age of 86 on the morning of Saturday December 3rd, 2022 after a long period of declining health while on home hospice at the residence of her son-in-law in Mebane where she had resided since Spring 2018. Born Addie Belle Mann on Feb 22nd, 1936 in Durham to Roscoe and Zola Smith Mann, she was named after her maternal grandmother. However, she used the name Addie as little as possible. Belle discovered a natural talent for the piano at age six and began performing for services at the Durham Missionary Alliance Church at age eleven and ended that career as Music and Choir Director at Angier Avenue Baptist Church when its regular services ended 2017. Belle also played at innumerable weddings and funerals over thirty years along with a non-musical career at Sperry Rand Co. for 27 years along with other jobs of shorter durations. Belle was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband and the father of her children, DeWitt Mitchell in 1977; her last husband, Bill Bailey in 2004; and her daughter, Patricia Drumheller in 2019. Belle is survived by her son, Lee Mitchell (Barbara) of Durham; her son-in-law, Edward Drumheller of Mebane; her grandsons; David Drumheller (Ginny) and Steven Mitchell; and her cats; Dolly, Molly, and Polly. Cremation Services are being provided by Walker's Funeral Home of Mebane. A Graveside Memorial Service will occur at a future date at Woodlawn Cemetery in Durham. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Independent Animal Rescue at animalrescue.net.