Barbara Louise Bailey, 80, of Lowville

LOWVILLE, New York (WWNY) - Barbara Louise Bailey, 80, of Shady Avenue, Lowville, passed away on November 17, 2023 in her home under the care of Lewis County Hospice and her devoted family.

She was born September 21, 1943, the daughter of Reba (Rennie) Delong and Gary A. Delong. She graduated from General Martin High School in Glenfield, NY in 1961.

She is survived by her loving and faithful husband, William Bailey, of over 40 years. They shared a wonderful life together, and she always proclaimed he was her gift from God. She loved her family deeply and is survived by her 3 children Sheryl (Shannon Lamb) Tuttle-Lamb, Douglas (Kelly) Olmstead, Sandra (Daniel) Rivers; 6 grandchildren Skyler (Tiffany) Tuttle, Dana (Jared) Gaines, Kayla (Benjamin) Krop, Colin (Darelle) Olmstead, Samuel Rivers, Gabriel Rivers and his fiancé Emma Lyndaker; and 14 great grandchildren; brothers-in-law Bernie Stanford, Richard (Leona) Bailey, Paul (Anne) Bailey, Edward Bailey and sister-in-law Barbara Ann Bailey. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Charlotte Stanford, a son-in-law David M. Tuttle, and her first husband David B. Olmstead.

Barbara was a hard worker all of her life. She especially enjoyed working with children, particularly those with special needs, and she spent the last 20 years, before retiring in 2008, at Lowville Academy working as a substitute, monitor, transportation aide, and ultimately a school bus driver. She had a heart for people and freely gave of her time and resources to help someone in need. She enjoyed travelling, shopping, baking, reading, gardening, spending time with family and sharing the life-giving Gospel of Jesus with others. She was an active member of River of Life Fellowship Church in Copenhagen, NY.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on November 21, 2023 at River of Life Church, Copenhagen to remember her and rejoice in her true homecoming in heaven. Doors will open at 3:00 p.m. with an informal time to converse with Barb’s family and friends. A formal service will begin at 4:00 p.m. A meal will follow the service. Contributions may be made in Barb’s memory to Friends of Lewis County Hospice, P.O. Box 266, Lowville, NY 13367.