Velma Mae Bailey

Velma Mae (Oden) Bailey, 77, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at her home in Rogue River, OR, with her husband by her side. 

Velma was born in Grants Pass, OR on July 25, 1947 to Alma (Brown) and Lester Oden. She grew up in Wimer with her parents and three siblings. When her father passed, the family moved to Grants Pass, where she graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1965. Velma worked at the Grants Pass courthouse after high school. 

She married Tom Bailey on March 27, 1970 and together had two children, Angela and Steffani. After becoming a mother, Velma spent the next few decades of her life volunteering at the girls’ schools where she became known as ‘second mom’ to many. She returned to work as a courier at Labcorp and retired in the late 1990s.

Velma enjoyed golfing, gardening, Bunco, camping, whale watching, a good thunderstorm, spending time with her dear friends, and helping others. Her absolute most joy came from spending time with her family. 

Velma was preceded in death by her parents; brother Donald Oden; sister Francis Ryan; nieces Brenda Bushnell, Carmen Mages, Michele Osborne, Shari Simeoni; nephews Robert Oden and Philip Irwin. 

She is survived by her husband, Tom Bailey; daughters Angela Magerle (Jon) and Steffani Bailey (Damian); sister Vivian Brenden; grandsons Johnathan Brooks and Devin Magerle; granddaughter Kierra Magerle; great-granddaughter Kinsley Mae Magerle; nephews Dan Brenden, David Brenden and Clint Ryan; nieces Alma Gambrill, Jamie Harrigan, and Sharee Oden.

A funeral service for Velma will be held at 1:00 p.m., October 12, 2024 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors, 612 NW A Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526. A reception will follow at the Floral Building at the Grants Pass Fairgrounds,1451 Fairgrounds Road, Grants Pass, OR 97527. All are welcome. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rogue River Garden Club (care of Clea Shores, 300 NE Scenic Drive, Grants Pass, OR 97526) or by contacting Steffani Bailey (steffanibailey@gmail.com) to donate online.

Velma was truly one of a kind and is greatly missed. 

Please share a loving memory of Velma on her Guestbook (Below).