Clarice Bailey

On Saturday, March 14, 2020 Clarice Bailey age 101 and 336 days old of Prosperity WV, left this earth with her cat, Big Daddy Tom snuggled by her side and began her journey to meet her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born April 12, 1918 at Grandview, WV.  She liked to tell of the four feet of snow that had fallen, preventing the doctor who was to deliver her from coming because his horse couldn’t get through the snow.

She was preceded in death by her hard working parents, William Roby Johnson and Rosa Worley Johnson. Her devoted Husband of 60 years, Carl Lewis Bailey, Her five siblings,
Viola Hatcher, eldest sibling, Forest Johnson, Denzil Johnson, Muriel Carper, Arbana Mays and her Granddaughter Billie Etop.

Clarice is survived by her Daughter and Devoted Caregiver, Sharon Kaye Harsanyi; a special niece, Tami Horwitz (Jeff) and a special great nephew, Lyle Miller (Lisa), who was like a son;

a niece, Nikki Cook and a nephew ,Don Bailey; her great nephew, Carl Lewis DeHart (Mary Lee), who was named after her beloved husband, Carl; granddaughter, Kathy Lukas (Etop Sos) and their children, Edleen Wainit (Clay), Clarice Graham (Kurt), and Chris Etop; her adopted daughter, Connie Foose Snuffer (Larry) of Shady Spring, WV; she also leaves behind, her precious cat, Big Daddy Tom; and many more beloved great nieces and nephews.

She was a 1936 Honor Graduate of Shady Spring High School and attended Beckley College with an associated Degree in Business Administration. Clarice was an outstanding employee of the S&H “Green Stamp” Store in Beckley as Manager for Thirty Five Years. During your employment she received many Regional and National Awards. She was a member and held office in several Civic and Business organizations, including the Quota Club, Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia University Home Demonstration Club. She proudly said that she never missed voting in an election and was a member of the WV Voters Hall of Fame. She had attended every outdoor Easter Sunrise Service for 100 years and in 2018 she was interviewed on National TV at the Easter Sunrise Service in Washington, DC.

Clarice lived her life with remarkable character and she led by example.  Clarice was an inspiration to her family and to her entire community. May her spirit and devotion to her faith guide us in this time of sadness.  Although her feet were small, she leaves very big shoes to fill.

When asked what her secret to longevity was, she stated, making her Savior first in her life and letting everything else fall into place.

Clarice was the oldest Member of Cranberry Baptist Church.  She was a very hard working person and gladly gave of her time to help others. She enjoyed gardening, canning, working in her flower gardens, traveling, making quits, attending church functions, and reading. Entertaining Friends and Family were extremely important to her.

Sharon Kaye would like to thank  Doctor Richard Wisman, who Clarice trusted and  adored and his staff.  Also a thank you to Annie Austin (adopted sweetest daughter) , Mary Morrison and also neighbor, Sally Sale.

In lieu of flowers any donations of sympathy may be made in Memory of Clarice Bailey to the Raleigh County Humane Society at 325 Grey Flats Road, Beckley, WV 25801

Due to the corona crisis, there will be a graveside service for Clarice at 12 noon  this Saturday, March 21st at the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum with the Reverend Roger Pauley officiating.   Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery by 11:50 am on Saturday morning. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clarice Bailey, please visit our floral store.