Shirley LaRue Bailey

Shirley LaRue Bailey, 98, of New London, departed to be with Jesus Christ on May 4, 2023. She was born to Corliss and Nettie Elliott Williams on February 11,1925 in Danville, Iowa. After graduating from Danville High School in 1942, she worked for the Danville Telephone Company, then worked in Washington D. C. for the FBI.
On May 9, 1944, she married Leslie (Tim) Bailey at the Laurinburg-Maxton Air Base, NC, where he was in WW II training in the Glider Pilot program. Two months later, Tim was deployed to India and Burma for two years. During that time, she worked for the Iowa Ordinance Plant in Middletown, Iowa.
Shirley was a wonderful and loving mother of five children, living in Danville then New London. She enjoyed attending WWII Glider Pilot reunions with Tim. She was a member of Harmony Bible Church for many years, then a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant. Her gift was hospitality and she loved studying the Bible along with her husband, who taught many classes. Her faith in Jesus Christ, a listening ear, and her wonderful sense of humor were an encouragement and inspiration to many.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; siblings, Lt. Russell Williams, Rev. Wendell Williams and Naomi Johnson; son Randel Bailey; and great-granddaughter, Grace Rinn. Family remaining include sons Kevin (Gail) Bailey of New London and Ridge (Ghada) Bailey of Melbourne, FL.; daughters Susan (Tim) Rinn of Denton, TX, and Dinah Bailey at Sunrise Terrace in Winfield, IA; eleven grandchildren; Ben (Holly) Bailey, Christine (Jeff) Kline, John Bailey; Brad Bailey, Matthew (Kelly) Bailey; Zachary Bailey, Lauren (James) Hansing, Norean (Charles) Gardner; David (Bethany) Rinn, Jonathan (Kristy) Rinn, and Michael (Megan) Rinn; and twenty-two great grandchildren.
Shirley trusted in Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of 27 and is now enjoying the reality of her faith in heaven. She is now more alive than she has ever been.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London with Dr. Tim Rinn officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 with the family greeting friends from 10:00 until the 11:00 service. According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and a private family inurnment at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, rural Danville, will be at a later date. A memorial has been established for Sunrise Terrace, Winfield. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.