Lola Ophelia Bailey

Lola Ophelia Bailey
April 27, 1943 - January 02, 2023
Tacoma, Washington - On Tuesday, April 27, 1943, a baby girl was born to Otho and Matilda Poulson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Lola Ophelia Poulson. The first of three children, Lola loved, learned, laughed and taught as she grew up in Philadelphia with her siblings Willis, Bruce and a host of cousins. Graduating from Overbrook High School, Lola was an inquisitive and dedicated student.
After high school Lola embarked on her transformative years at her dear Cheyney University, a historically African-American College and upon graduating, formally embraced the career she had been destined for all her life - an educator. Her lifelong impact in Tacoma started with marrying Thomas Bailey, also from Philadelphia, as he was drafted into the military and stationed in Fort Lewis Army Base. This impact included raising her two children, Troy and Monika, with her then husband Tom and weaving a tapestry of community relationships and friendships which live on to this day.
Lola spent 30+ years in the Tacoma School District molding over 1,000 2nd & 3rd students at Jefferson and Wainwright Elementary School and sharing her wealth of knowledge as a Master Teacher.
Lola's web of community engagement, advocacy and philanthropy extended well outside the halls of the school, including: Shiloh Baptist Church, her dear Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Founding Member of the Tacoma Urban League (TUL) Guild, and the Caballeros Club.
While Lola received numerous city and state level accolades, her drive to serve was based on her desire to use her gifts to create impact for the lives of children. As a result "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago". We are thankful for Lola being that "someone" who diligently and tirelessly planted seeds of hope, pride and opportunity that turned into strong trees enabling the children and teachers she served to accomplish incredible things around the world because of her kind and heartfelt teaching.
While Lola fully embraced retirement she remained a vital heartbeat of the community. Lola could be found spending time with her grandchildren, Troy Jr. and Lola, attending Shiloh Baptist Church with her sweetheart Zeph, shopping for a bargain around town, tending to her garden or visiting her family and life long friends in Philadelphia. In recent years you could find her with her devoted sister/friends Ethelda Burke, Bonnie Pinckney, Linda Hych, Debbie Winfield, Olivia Stephens, and others.
Today we pay homage to a legend in the community. While in one breath we say farewell to one of our family's thought leaders we also in the same breath celebrate the timeless thoughts and impact of our leader. To Lola who played so many roles including educator, advocate, servant leader, teacher, daughter, mother, grandmother, cousin, mate, cousin, friend we say - you taught us, you made us think, you changed the world - you left us all stronger than when you found us. We are and will continue to "Stay Strong".
Her thoughts, her legacy, continues through her Mother: Matilda Gayle-Poulson. Brothers: Willis and Bruce Poulson. Her mate of over 20 years: Zephaniah Craft. Children: Troy Thomas Bailey (Veronica) & Monika Renee Majors (John). Grandchildren: Troy Thomas Bailey II & Lola Christine Majors and a host of relatives and friends.
Memorial Services will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church 1211 S. I Street, Tacoma, WA 98405 on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 11am. Her earthly remains will be interned at the Fernwood Cemetery in Lansdowne, PA.