Avis Irene Bailey (Durkee)

Avis Irene (Durkee) Bailey, 91, passed away January 6, 2023. Avis was born February 10, 1931, in Rock Island, IL, to Lisle and Gertrude (Washburne) Durkee. She attended Rock Island High School. As a teenager she attended church where she met Richard “Dick” Allen Bailey. They married in a candlelight service February 14, 1949, at the First Baptist Church in Rock Island, IL. They soon had had 3 children, Richard Allen Bailey Jr, James Kenneth Bailey and Nancy Lea Bailey. Avis was mostly a homemaker though out her life but also worked as a cashier and has other odd jobs here and there. Avis liked to travel, reading, going to church, visit friends, watch sports (baseball, football and golf), cheer on her favorite teams, The Kansas City Chiefs, The Kansas City Royals, and the Chicago Cubs, she collected bells and liked butterflies. Avis was a spit fire who let her presence be known.

She said her greatest accomplishment in life was her family. Avis is survived by her Daughter Nancy (Rick) Huffaker, of Kansas City, MO; 8 Grandchildren, Erica (Joseph) Stalker, Independence, MO; David (Susan) Bailey, Johnston, IA; Shelby (Steve) Railsback, Fort Collins, CO; Dan (Michelle) Bailey; Gene Bailey, Davenport; Christopher (Jessica) Bailey, Okanow, Japan; Steven Bailey, Rockwood, TN; Amy (Vern) Huffaker, Kansas City, MO; 2 Daughter in laws Mary Bailey, Davenport, IA and Beverly Bailey, Rockwood, TN; 23 Great-grandchildren, Kirsten, Scott Jr, Kira, Bailey, Justin, Jeremiah, Robert, Marian, Thomas, Evelyn, Abby, Addison, Oliver, Savannah, Evan, Mylie, Zowe, Dakota, Katrina, Ike, Savannah Luv, Jared, Abbigail; 3 great-great grandchildren Sebastian, Jackson, and Scarlett; many nieces and nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard “Dick” Allen Bailey Sr in 2013, both sons Richard Allen Bailey Jr in 2021 and James Kenneth Bailey in 2010; Her twin sister Arlene Snapp in 2022; Siblings Kenneth Durkee, Joyce Roy, Pearl Rawson and Marge Durkee and her parents Lisle and Gertrude.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Friday, January 13th at Speaks Suburban Chapel in Independence, Mo.