Mary F. Bailey, 62 of Pensacola, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2009.
Mary was a life long resident of Escambia County. A 1965 graduate of Escambia High School, she furthered her education by graduating from Pensacola Junior College in 1967 and from Florida State University in 1969. She retired from the Escambia County School District in 2005 following 36 years of teaching, but returned to teaching at Bailey Middle School in 2006. Mary was named the 1974 Young Teacher of the Year, selected as the 2002 NASPE Southern District Middle School Teacher of the Year, and upon her retirement in 2005, the gymnasium at Bailey Middle School was dedicated in her honor.
Mary coached the PJC Lady Pirates from 1982-1994, where she built PJC's softball program into a national power. Her 1988 team won PJC’s first national championship. She was named the 1988 NJCAA National Coach of the Year and was inducted into the NJCAA Hall-of-Fame. Upon retirement from coaching, with a 498 -166 record, the Panhandle Conference Softball Championship trophy was named in her honor.
Mary was preceded in death by her father, David E. Bailey, mother, Grace Steele Bailey, brother, William Byron Bailey, and sister, Dorothy Fay Kyser.
Mary is survived by her sister, Carolyn B. Voight (Donald). Extended family, Bambi Lockman of Tallahassee, Vivian Greaux of Tallahassee, Linda Irby of Pace, many nieces, nephews, and friends of the heart.
Visitation will be Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Celebration of Life Services will be Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 3:00 P.M. at Liberty Church, with Reverend Randy Steele officiating.
Interment will be at 9:00 A.M., Monday, November 2, 2009 at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Donald Voight, Terry Voight, Matthew Steele, Steve Lockman, Christopher Kane, Everett Lockman, Robbie Kane, Steven Kane and Madison Lockman. Honorary Pallbearers include the PJC Lady Pirates and the Faculty and Staff of Jim Bailey Middle School.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to, PJC Foundation, Mary F. Bailey Scholarship, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola, Florida 32504, or to Haven of Our Lady of Peace, 1900 Summit Blvd., Pensacola, Florida 32503.
Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
