Leoda Bailey
On December 21, 1923 in Grapeland Texas, Leoda Bailey was born to Elmo Stubblefield and Sallie Mae Potts.
With the blessing of being reared in a Christian household, Leoda dedicated her life to Christ at an early age and looked forward to attending church services with her mother and grandmother. She attended school in the Daily Community and graduated from W.R. Banks in 1943. Leoda was extremely smart. She loved math and was even recognized for winning a state math competition for her school, W. R. Banks, from which she graduated in 1943.
After graduation, Leoda moved to Houston where she met Eddie Lee Bailey. They were united in marriage in 1946 and to their union, 6 children were born. For years she worked faithfully as a devoted wife and mother. She was a devout Christian and member of Loyal Missionary Baptist Church, and later New Faith Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. T.R. Williams.
Leoda would spend hours each night reading and studying the Word of God. She not only knew the Word, but more importantly, she lived by the Word. She didn’t just “talk the talk”, she “walked the walk”. She had a big heart and her doors were open to everyone. She fed, clothed and housed those who came to her in need and never complained. She would even treat her neighbors as though they were family. She would say, “If God can’t send a blessing through you, He may be reluctant to send one to you”.
In 1988, Leoda moved back to Grapeland where she became a member of St. John Baptist Church. She served as a Sunday School teacher, President of the Women’s Mission and eventually, Mother of the Church.
Leoda was a woman of virtue. She lead with love, kindness, discipline and always put her family first. Her motto was, “You can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family”. She was honest and had no problem telling it like it was. She would often say, “Don’t ask me if you don’t want to hear the truth”. That truth would sometimes hurt but was delivered with love and compassion then followed up with sound advice that was always supported by scripture. Her wisdom was more precious than rubies.
In January 2018, with her health failing, Leoda moved to Houston Texas where she remained until the gates of Heaven swung open to welcome her home on January 9, 2019, at the tender age of 95.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Eddie Lee Bailey; her parents Elmo Stubblefield and Sallie Mae Potts; a son James Lee Bailey and son-in-law Julius Walker; 5 brothers, Arnold Lee Stubblefield, Willie Stubblefield, George Stubblefield, Elmer Stubblefield and John Stubblefield; 3 sisters, Lessie Potts, Florence Tarrance and Laura Patterson.
Left to cherish her memories are her children Paul Bailey (Lillie) and Marion Walker of Grapeland, TX, Myrian Walker (Levern), Jocelyn Bailey and Katherine Middleton (Reginald) of Houston, TX.; 3 brothers, J.T. Stubblefield and James Stubblefield (Margarett) of Houston Tx, and E.L. Stubblefield (Lore) of Washington; 6 sisters, Catherine Robertson of Carson, CA, Vernell Johnson (Earnest), Dorothy Johnson and Weda Stubblefield all of Houston, TX, Beulah Perryman and Ida Faye Stubblefield both of San Antonio, TX; 23 Grandchildren; 79 Great-grandchildren; 49 Great-Great Grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Services were held Saturday, January 19, 2019 at noon at Rising Star Baptist Church. Interment followed at Golden Gate Cemetery under the direction of Walker & Walker Funeral Home.
