Church Member Spotlight: Ruth Bailey

Debbie Snapp
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Ruth Teasley Bailey is a member of the Elizabeth Baptist Church (EBC), which is the church she attended as far back as she remembers. And, she is proud to admit that she is currently the oldest member of the family church, as she will be turning 94 this October 7.
As an active member in her younger years, Ruth was a longtime Sunday School teacher, helped several years with Vacation Bible School, was a longtime member of the church choir and has acted as the church’s secretary.
Ruth raised four children: Larry and Gail, who have sadly passed away, Pamela who lives with her husband Jim in Jacksonville, Fla. and her youngest son, Bert who resides on the Demott family-owned property.
While living at the home of her parents, George and Inez Demott, all four of Ruth’s children lived there with her until they graduated. The children were raised in Jefferson County, where they attended local schools and were two of the first graduates from Aucilla Christian Academy.
Even though Ruth ended up as a single parent, she gives a lot of credit to her parents, as well as her seven brothers and sisters, especially her brother Herbert Demott who passed away in 2016, for always including her and her children in their plans.
As a young woman, Ruth attended the Lively Technical Center in Tallahassee, where she studied to be a beautician. After earning her license, she began working at Fran's Beauty Salon where she remained employed for 45 years. Fran's was located in downtown Monticello, where the Lady With A Past and Tea Parlor are now.
In 1985, and after her children were grown, Ruth married Rev. Walter Bailey, at Capitola Baptist Church, where he had been serving as pastor. The two had met years earlier when he was the pastor at EBC.
After her marriage, she resided in the Lamont area until his death. Afterward, she returned to the community surrounding EBC, and to the land where most of her family resided.
Finding herself with seven acres, but no home, they all prayed to find a used mobile home that would meet her needs. Days later while dining out in the Jacksonville area, that prayer was answered. Her daughter met a lady the same age as Ruth and was looking to sell her mobile home. The purchase was made that same day and the mobile home was relocated to Ruth’s property, just yards from the Demott family home.
She had four brothers: A.D., James, Herbert and Maurice, and three sisters, Dorothy, Grace and Marie. In addition to her four children, Ruth has five grandchildren: Kimberly Cooksey Stanley, Keith Cooksey, Robby Teasley, Holly Gettemy and Luke Teasley, and seven great-grandchildren: Hunter, Walker, Skyler, Bryson, Carolyn, Mary Beth and Ryker.
Ruth’s favorite time of the year is Thanksgiving when she gets an opportunity to see and visit with all of her family and extended family.
Ruth shares, “I stay at Elizabeth Baptist Church because it's my family. I don't want to be anyplace else.”