Obituary of Hilda Rakestraw Bailey

Hilda Rakestraw Bailey, 88, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014, at Indian Path Medical Center. She had been residing at Preston Place, Kingsport, for the past two years, but was originally from Surgoinsville and Church Hill. She was a lifelong resident of Hawkins County and was an active member of First Baptist Church in Surgoinsville. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend to all. She was well known in the community as a wonderful cook, always bringing food to church, neighbors, and friends. She loved to make delicious candy and desserts. She also loved to garden in the summer and put up foods for the winter. She retired from working at Hawkins County Enrichment Center where she was a cook and later assisted in P.E. Hilda played high school basketball at Rogersville High School and taught her son to play! The family would like to thank the staff at Preston Place for the wonderful care she received during her 2 years of residency at the facility and thanks go out to her special caregiver, Mary. They would also like to thank the staff at Indian Path Medical Center for their excellent care during her stays. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry Lee Bailey Sr., parents, Roy and Maggie Rakestraw, sisters, Frances Rao, Opal Smith, and Georgia Ball, brother, Kenneth Rakestraw; best friend, Bobbie Gardner. Hilda Bailey is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Harry Lee (HL) and Ellen Charles Bailey (Parker AZ); "Special Daughter", Shirley Nichols and husband, Jerry; sister, Betty Lewis (Preston Place); brothers Billy Rakestraw (Rogersville) and Reece Rakestraw (GA); several special nieces and nephews. She is also survived by special friends, Sarah Williams, Patsy Norris, Nina Bowers, and Teresa Jones, along with her oldest friend, Ilene Rimer and family. Calling hours will be from 11am-1pm Saturday September 20th at Carter Trent in Church Hill or friends may also call anytime at the residence after the burial. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday (September 20, 2014) at 1 pm in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Larry Parrott, officiating. Music will be provided by the Rimer Girls. Burial will follow at Hawkins County Memorial Gardens with Tony Burchfield, Chris Rakestraw, Billy Rakestraw, Louis Rimer, Perry Dykes, and Jerry Nichols serving as pallbeaerers. Clifford Light and Lynn Norris will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family request in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer's Resource Center at Preston Place. Checks can be made out to Preston Place, 2001 N John B Dennis Hwy Kingsport TN 37660, Attention: Heather Harrell - ARC. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, Church Hill is serving the Bailey family.