HEATH SPRINGS ~ Jane Bailey was born on March 20, 1942. We don't know a great deal about her childhood except that it was hard, and the constant in her life was her grandmother and her beloved sister Nell. She loved being in the Heath Springs High School all-girl marching band. (It was comprised of only girls because all of the boys played football.) Her instrument was the bass drum, and she played it so vigorously that she beat a hole in its side. She lived her life with that same vigor. She quit school and started working for Springs. She worked there for several years until she got a better opportunity and joined the work force at Duracell. She worked at Duracell until she got laid off and then made ends meet by working odd jobs including building construction, picking vegetables and fruit, and selling fish. She stocked groceries for Bi-Lo's until the manager made her mad. She easily found another job at 903 Discount Beverage and stayed there until she retired.

Jane never married because as she explained, she didn't want a man telling her what to do. Even though she lived a single life, she still loved well and was well loved. The love of her life was her sister, Nell, who was four years her senior. She was the one to whom Jane clung to when life was hard, and she was the one who answered her questions when she didn't understand the workings of the world. In turn, Jane helped Nell raise her boys, Steve, Randy and Greg. She would work nights and then come home to watch them while Nell went to work. That was just one of the many sacrifices that Jane made for her family. In 2006, she left her job at 903 Discount Beverage to care for Nell as she slowly lost her battle with cancer. During that time, she made a promise to her sister. She promised that she would step up and be a grandmother to her three grandchildren, Bailey, Yancey and Jackson. She filled her life with their interests and faithfully attended their programs, celebrations and ball games. She was a taxi service and a shopping and fishing buddy for Yancey and her friends. She was a vocal spectator during all the ball games, and she met her tribe on the ball field. Some of her most joyful times were spent wrapped in layers of Buford shirts and blankets sitting with her fellow grannies commenting on the calls and the coaching of Buford games.

In December of 2024, she suffered total hearing loss and had to forfeit her independence and live with her nephew, Steve. She suffered from a stroke on April 22, 2025, and joined her sister in heaven on Friday, May 2. She is survived by her three nephews Steve (Karen), Randy (Jamy) and Greg, her two grandnieces Bailey and Yancey (Dean), her grandnephew, Jackson, and her sweet kitty, Sam who now lives with Steve.

A celebration of life service will be held at Rich Hill Baptist Church on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 11 am with receiving of friends following the service. If you would like to honor Jane, please take some blankets and food to your local animal shelter.