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In the early morning of Dec. 28, 2023, Mrs. Jean Barney Bailey, of Fork Bixby Road, Advance, joined the angels in heaven after an extended battle with diabetes. Born Aug. 28, 1931, she was 92 years of age.

Jean was the first of 11 children born to Charlie Herbert and Mary Ruth Cole Barney.

She was a long-time member of Fork Baptist Church where she, as a member of her Class 3 Ladies Sunday School class, was responsible for sending birthday, sympathy, and get-well cards, and for all other occasions. Jean also helped prepare meals for her class in addition to the Fork 50+ Club.

Married Nov. 16, 1951 to Robert Lewis Bailey, she bore  two children, Robert Lanny Bailey of Hudson and Brenda Bailey Montgomery (deceased). She was married for 54 years.

Jean worked for many years at Hanes as a sewer. The remainder of her working days were as a food cook for several organizations and companies.

An excellent cook, Jean lovingly kept a record of every family members favorite foods and took special care to prepare what they wanted. A requested favorite dish was butterbeans and corn which led to one of her nicknames, “Butterbean Jean”.

She was a devoted mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt. She was loved by all who knew her, especially by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were both amused and impressed at her propensity to wield a 410 shotgun against a snake or other offending varmint. She would use the phrase, “I’ll 410 it!”, which led to her other nickname, “Granny Oakley”.

She had five grandchildren, Michael Bailey, Mickey Bolick, Tiffany Rippy, Raven Montgomery, and Adam Montgomery. She had six great grandchildren, Colbie Dwiggins, Kameron Bolick, Melia Bailey, Catelyn Bailey, Danielle Montgomery, and Madeline Montgomery.

Jean was preceded in death by: her husband, Robert Lewis Bailey in 2005; by 2 brothers, Rodger and David Barney; and 2 sisters, Margie Boger and Frances Moore.

Surviving are: 3 brothers, Tommy Barney (Roni) of Advance, Denny Barney (Regina) of Mocksville, and Charlie Herbert Barney Jr. of Dobson; 3 sisters, Pat Boger (Edward) of Advance, Joyce Templeton (David) of Harmony, and Nadine Miller of Advance.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3 at Eaton Funeral Chapel with Rev. Robert Garrett officiating. Interment will follow in Fork Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be considered for: Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; or to Fork Baptist Church, 3140 US Hwy 64 East, Mocksville, NC 27028.

Online condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.