Phyllis Lane Bailey, 89, from Va Beach, VA died on November 4, 2021. She was born in Marion, IN on July 21,1932. She was predeceased by her parents, Rev. Weldon and Osie Lane, her husband John J. Bailey, Jr and her sister, Donna Lane Burrus. She is survived by her brother in law, Winston Burrus;…
Continue ReadingPhyllis Lane Bailey, 89, from Va Beach, VA died on November 4, 2021. She was born in Marion, IN on July 21,1932. She was predeceased by her parents, Rev. Weldon and Osie Lane, her husband John J. Bailey, Jr and her sister, Donna Lane Burrus. She is survived by her brother in law, Winston Burrus; her daughters, Debra Crimmins and husband Rev. Dr. John Crimmins III of Houston TX; Denyse Megginson and husband Ray Megginson of Jupiter FL, and Dena Harless of Virginia Beach, VA. Her grandchildren include: April and John Mitchell; Ray J and Missy Megginson; Gerimy and Courtney Bailey; John and Poonam Crimmins IV; Sydney and Thomas Leal; great grandchildren are: Sadie and Darby Megginson, Lucy and Tucker Bailey, Naya and baby brother (soon to be) Crimmins. Her step grandchildren: Tabitha and Mark Felicia, Jeremiah and Lisa Harless; step great grandchildren are: Mark Jr, and Alyssa Felicia; Brock and Baylee Muncy, Jeremiah Jr, Jonessa and Duke Harless.
It was in Kalamazoo MI, at 13 years of age, that Phyllis started playing the piano in church,
and she never stopped. She was still playing the organ on a weekly basis at her beloved Great Neck Baptist Church two months before she died. Dena, her third daughter, said “as mom lay dying (while listening to music) she raised her hands, moving her fingers as if she were playing the piano”. She played in 9 churches throughout her lifetime and was playing up until she died.
She graduated from Maury High School in 1950, met Jim Bailey in 1951 and was swept off her feet by the handsome man in an Air Force uniform… they were married not many months after.
Phyllis wrote her own 10 page obit several years ago where she said: “My greatest love is Jesus Christ my Savior, my family and grandchildren”. Her daughters would also add that she had a deep love for music. Debbie, her eldest said: “if she isn’t a musical genius, she’s close to being one”. She wrote music, transposed songs, changed keys while playing, sang with a clear beautiful soprano voice, was an amazing accompanist and choir director. She spent hours practicing, scoring music, preparing for Wed night rehearsals and Sunday morning services. And if that were not enough, she taught piano lessons in the home to kids who barely even practiced, cause the daughters heard them struggling on a weekly basis!
Phyllis signed her older daughters up for an all city singing competition when they were in 2nd and 3rd grades. She chose the music, arranged 3 part harmony, called them the “Harmonettes” and rehearsed them until they could sing it in their sleep. They ended up taking first place and can sing those songs to this day.
In short, music was her passion. Phyllis went back to school when she was in her early 50’s so she could better learn not only her craft but other interests as well. She attended Old Dominion University and Tidewater Technical so she could keep up with the latest trends in technology.
With her passion for music she also enjoyed listening to all kinds of music. When she wasn’t practicing or writing, she’d have music loudly playing in the house non stop. The girls would come home from school each day to a variety of music blasting on the record player.
Besides Jesus and her family, she loved: “Christmas and holidays ; traveling, but NOT cruising; boating with Donna and Win, sitting in church beside Dena, using my gifts playing the piano/organ, attending concerts with friends”
Phyllis now resides in heaven where she may be found passionately playing/singing for Jesus her Savior and her loved ones who have passed before.
Phyllis Bailey’s service and internment has already taken place for family and close friends. Contributions can be made to: GlobalPastorTraining.org or Great Neck Baptist Church.
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