Viola Fay Bailey

STRATTON -- Viola Fay Bailey, 91, died Thursday (May 23, 2002) at her home in Stratton.  She was born November 27, 1910, at Firth to Orman T. and Jessie C. (Huetson) Confer.    As a child, she moved with her family to the Confer Ranch south of Culbertson where she grew up and attended church at

the Stone Church near her family's home.  She graduated from Culbertson High School and McCook Junior College before teaching school in Hitchcock and Red Willow counties, and Lyman, Neb.

On May 17, 1936, she married Earl Bailey at Scottsbluff and they spent the majority of their 66 years together in Stratton. 

She was a 55-year member of Community United Methodist Church in Stratton, and was involved with Stratton Community Improvement, Eastern Star, the Stratton Library Board, and Scouts. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Alice, and Gladys; brothers, Claude, and Merle; and one grandson. Survivors include her husband, Earl Bailey of Stratton; daughters, Lilah and husband, Jerry Yows of Amarillo, Texas, Elaine and husband, Carl Gum of Raymore, Mo.; son, Paul Bailey of Denver, Colo.; sister, Norma Bradshaw of McCook; brothers, Paul Confer and wife, Lillian of Culbertson, and Harold Confer and wife, Dottie of San Antonio, Texas; six grandchildren;and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were today, 10:30 a.m., at Community United Methodist Church in Stratton with the Rev. Norman Prather officiating.  Interment followed services at Rose Hill Cemetery in Stratton.

Forch Funeral Chapel of Stratton is in charge of arrangements.