Josephine Curtis "Jody" Bailey

Josephine "Jody" Curtis Bailey, 77, passed away on August 5, 2025, in Gilbert, Arizona.
She was born November 3, 1947 to Alexander Raine Curtis and Elaine Broadbent Curtis in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jody was the fifth of five children: Pat (Vaughn) Belnap, Carol (Stan) Delbridge, Mary (Mike) Gourley, and Tom (Suzanne) Curtis.
She grew up in Holladay, UT where she briefly attended Olympus High School, then moved on to University of Utah. She studied music and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the U. She taught sixth grade for several years and later taught soldiers so they could earn their GED certificate.
On April 15, 1966, Jody married the love of her life, Michael Cardall Bailey, in the Salt Lake Temple. They were fortunate to have celebrated nearly 60 years together. After moving across the country to a few different places while Mike worked his way through dental schools and military service, they settled in Mesa, AZ to raise their three children, Michael Curtis Bailey (Michelle), Richard Curtis Bailey (Mindi), and Genevieve Bailey Earl (Kimball).
Jody led an active life, filled with family and friends. Her feisty nature made her the life of any party. She was a great cook and loved sharing her table with the family she built wherever she lived. If chocolate was involved, that was even better.
Jody had a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and faithfully served in many church callings, and, if she didn't feel she was being used enough, she often asked for more ways to serve. She played the organ in sacrament service since she was 14 years old and had a beautiful touch. She served a full-time mission as a youth in "the greatest mission of all time," the Southwest British Mission. Later, she served other full-time missions with Mike at Arizona State University Institute, Adam-ondi-Ahman, University of Texas San Antonio Institute, and, most recently, as the senior coordinating couple for senior service missionaries. She loved serving the youth and young single adults. She was a volunteer institute instructor at Mesa Community College and ASU Institute where she led the choir and taught classes. Her greatest love, aside from Mike, was her time serving in the temple on Wednesday mornings for many years.
Jody loved the outdoors and adventures, and she passed that love along to her children and grandchildren. Her father would take her out on horseback rides or fishing before school (and sometimes accidentally during school). In the winter, she was riding snowmobiles and in the summer, she was at the lake. She and Mike would find themselves at the family cabin often claiming the mountains were calling her. She was always game for a road trip, as long as she could sit in the front seat or drive.
Jody especially loved spending time with her ten grandchildren, [Curt] Kayla MacNeille (Rhett), Taylor Bailey (Lexi), and Tori Clouse (Marcus); [Rick] Gunner Bailey (Hannah), Jessie Magdaleno (Franny), Hyrum Bailey, and Abigail Bailey; [Genny] Joseph Earl, Kimberly Earl, and Brigham Earl; and her four great-grandchildren, Cannon MacNeille, Bailee MacNeille, Bristal MacNeille, and Violet Bailey. There was almost always a deck of cards and a bowl of candy or goldfish involved in these gatherings. The pool was always open, and she would often join the fun. She always encouraged the children to develop talents and was so proud as we "sang" Christmas carols on kazoos each year at the family Christmas party. She felt the most joy as she witnessed her grandchildren share their testimonies while performing the story of the Nativity. Every activity always ended with a testimony of the gospel and our family motto: "In unity there is strength."
We love her, and she will be sorely missed. We find comfort in knowing we will see her again. We are happy for her reunion with her parents, family, and dear friends who preceded her.
There will be a viewing held on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 6:00pm-8:00pm, at Bunker Family Funerals University Chapel at 3529 E University Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85213.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 10:00am-11:00am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Old Gilbert Road building at 2424 N Old Gilbert Road, Mesa, AZ 85213, with a visitation prior to the funeral from 9:00-9:45am.
A live stream of the service will be available at jodybailey.funeralsvc.link.
Interment will be at the Mesa Cemetery at 1212 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201.
The family is grateful for the reverence and respect that the medical teams at Dignity Health hospitals, Hospice of the Valley-Lund Home, and Bunker Family Funerals held for Jody while in their care. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice on her behalf.
Arrangements by Bunker's University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.