Elva E. Bailey

Elva E (Purple) Bailey, 99, of Covington, passed away peacefully during her afternoon nap at Wellbrooke in Crawfordsville, Indiana on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

Elva was born in Cates, Indiana on July 6, 1926 the daughter of Albert and Cathryn Witsman Purple. She was the last surviving of the seven Purple siblings; brothers Wilmer, William, Harlan and sisters Frances, Betty and Shirley. She retired in 1988 from the Covington Community School Corporation after 30 years working as a cook then later sharing custodian duties at the elementary school with her husband Paul. Family members enjoyed her great cooking and baking skills, especially those raspberry pies from the berries that Paul picked, noodles, yeast cinnamon rolls and homemade ice cream! 

She was a tough old bird, surviving and not even being hospitalized, when she contracted Covid along with pneumonia.

On March 24, 1947 Elva married Paul Leroy Bailey in Covington by Justice of the Peace Hazel Hatton. He proceeded her in death on August 3, 1995. They raised three sons Don (Sherry) Bailey of Veedersburg, Bob of Veedersburg, and Ron (Tammy) of Bloomingdale. She is also survived by three grandsons, Chris (Angie) Bailey, Veedersburg, Greg (Kathy) Bailey, Terre Haute and Chase (Alyssa) Bailey, Bloomington and one granddaughter, Johona Bailey of Bloomington; three great grandsons, Ian Bailey, Veedersburg, Colin (Krista) Bailey, Veedersburg and Callen Bailey of Bloomington and one great granddaughter Andilyn Bailey of Bloomington and four great great grandchildren Pryce, Amylah, Ivoree and Lennon along with many nieces and nephews. 

Elva was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul, her son Bob and all her brothers and sisters.

Special thanks to Anew Hospice for their care of Elva during her last few years of life.

Friends may call at Dickerson Funeral Home, 303 No Main St, Veedersburg, IN on Monday, November 24 from 10 am ET until the service time at 11 am ET with Pastor Bill Carpenter officiating. Burial will follow at Mt Hope Cemetery in Covington. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sterling Christian Church, 701 So Sterling Avenue, Veedersburg, IN 47987.