Lula Merlene Bailey

Lula Merlene Bailey, 93, a resident of Brantley, Alabama, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, while surrounded by her family. A graveside service for Merlene will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, May 9th, in Brantley Cemetery with Dr. Tony Dye officiating and Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. Family and friends will meet in the cemetery at service time.

According to her treasured grandchildren, the Lord could not have made a more perfect grandmother than Merlene, also known as Grandmoma to all of them. She was blessed with an abundance of grace and patience for the antics of little ones. Her life was spent making her home the kind of open and welcoming place that everyone wanted to be, whether they were her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, or others she loved like family. Times were always good when Grandmoma entered the sacred domain of her kitchen where everything she whipped up with love was the best they ever had! They also always knew they could count on her love and support no matter what was going on or what the activity was, from various school functions to ballgames and beauty pageants, Grandmoma was going to be there.

Though most of her time was spent doting on her family, especially when her precious great-grandchildren came calling after school, in her free time, Merlene also loved putting in her time and attention to making her yard as beautiful as possible, especially given all the various types of flowers she raised over the years. She was most definitely one of a kind and certainly beloved by all those who knew her. She had many highs and lows throughout her long life, but she undoubtedly wouldn't change a second of it as she leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness that will continue to live on in the generations to come.

Merlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 51 years, Charles Alton Bailey; their son, Charles Keith Bailey; parents, Roy & Bertha Mae Bullard Mount; and siblings, Christine Ross, Oliver Mount, and Carroll Douglas Mount. She is survived by her daughters, Pamela Bailey and Shirlon (Tony) Dye; grandchildren, Bethany (Gunter) Akridge, Benjamin (Amber) Dye, Courtney (Danny) Dewrell, and Nicki (Dallas) Van Skiver; great-grandchildren, Bailey, Reid, Rebekah, Ella, Chloe, Brycen, Bailey Grace, and Fleming Rae; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Active pallbearers will be Benjamin Dye, Danny Dewrell, Dallas Van Skiver, Charlie Brundidge, David Morris, and David Smyth.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to not only all of the family and friends who have supported them, but also Enhabit Hospice, especially her nurses Catherine and Martha, for their loving care of Merlene during her final days.