WINDSOR — Virginia Wilson Jordan Bailey, “Ginny” to her family and friends, died Dec. 29, 2017 in Kill Devil Hills, N.C. at the age of 98. She was born in Benn’s Church on St. Patrick’s Day 1919, the ninth and last child of Charles Samuel and Annie Atkins Jordan. Raised on the family farm during the Great Depression, she learned well the value of hard work, perseverance and trusting in the providence of the Lord. She attended Madison College, received a teaching certificate and taught elementary school in Norfolk, Holland and Windsor. 

In 1947, she married Charles Frederick “Fred” Bailey of Windsor and became the mother to their three children: a daughter, Janan Bailey Usher, wife of Charles L. Usher of Southern Shores, N.C.; and twin sons: David C. Bailey of Edmond, Okla., husband of Robin Brakhage, and William F. “Bill” Bailey of Charlotte, N.C., husband of Laura Williams. 

When the children got older, Ginny started a private kindergarten in her home and helped many Windsor-area preschoolers develop social skills and a love for learning. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed sewing clothes, knitting and making all kinds of things for her home. She was a member of Windsor Congregational Christian Church where she taught children’s Sunday school, actively participated in a women’s circle for many years and served as a deaconess. 

Ginny adored her five grandchildren, Lindsay Usher, Neil Bailey, Ellen Usher, Heather Bailey and Sean Bailey Blunk, and spent as much time with them as she could.  “Nana” showed them unconditional love, helped them to sew and make all kinds of things and taught them how to play cards, of course! She was an avid and accomplished bridge player and tutored many Windsor-area women in the art of the game and the accompanying fellowship. She loved to cook and passed on many favorite recipes to her family, including caramel cake, fried chicken, scratch-made biscuits and pecan pie. 

She loved her children and their spouses and was so much more than a mother or mother-in-law, always supporting and encouraging them and helping them in any way that she could. She leaves a legacy of love, laughter and a zest for life that inspires everyone who knew her. In addition to her children, their spouses and grandchildren, she is survived by five great-grandchildren and dozens of nieces and nephews. We mourn and grieve her passing from this life but rejoice that she is now in heaven with her Savior.
A reception will be held at the Windsor Congregational Christian Church on Thursday, Jan. 4, from 12:30 – 2 p.m. with a funeral service in the church starting at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suffolk.  Sturtevant Funeral Home, Bennetts Creek Chapel, Suffolk, is handling arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of Windsor Congregational Christian Church, 4 N. Court Street, P.O. Box 407, Windsor, VA 23487.  www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com