Ruth Shoemake Bailey, 97, was born December 26, 1925, in Bruce, MS to the late Byron Shoemake and Modess Murphree Shoemake. She died on March 25, 2023, at North-MS Medical Center in Tupelo, MS.
She was a devoted member of Bruce United Methodist Church. She loved all church activities and was a powerful witness wherever she was until her last days. She devoted her time to her family and God’s ministry and always was an encourager to others. God and family were her life. She was a member of the Gideon’s Auxiliary.
Ruth and Homa were the owners of Bailey’s Big Star in Bruce. They enjoyed serving the people of Bruce until their retirement. Ruth carried that love for making new friends into her later days while a resident at Traceway Retirement Center in Tupelo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Homa Bailey; brothers Dayson Shoemake and Jimmy Gay Shoemake.
Those left to cherish her memory are her devoted daughter Kay Thomas (Dwight) Faulkenberry, Tupelo, MS; sister Jo Gullick, Nashville, TN; grandchildren: Wendy (Bill) Smith, Tupelo, MS, and Sam (Nikki) Thomas, Tupelo, MS; great-grandchildren: Jordan (Farris) Smith, Bo (Chandler)Thomas, Jeb Thomas, Hardy Smith, and Maci Thomas.
A visitation for Ruth will be Monday, March 27, 2023, from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at Bruce United Methodist Church. A funeral celebrating Ruth’s life will follow at 4:00 P.M. at the church with Rev. Tim Green, Rev. Lynn Mote, and Rev. Dwight Faulkenberry officiating. Burial will follow in Bruce Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Sam Thomas, Bo Thomas, Jeb Thomas, Bill Smith, Jordan Smith, and Brian Thomas.
Parker Memorial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bailey family and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
