Shirley Jean Bailey's Obituary
Shirley Jean Cole Bailey, age 87, of Goshen, Kentucky, peacefully passed away at home on July 17, 2026, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family.
Born on November 8, 1938, in Old Hickory, Tennessee, Shirley was the beloved daughter of the late William Cole and Lula Ellen Cole. She spent most of her life in the Goodlettsville and Madison, Tennessee area, where she raised her family, built lifelong friendships, and created countless cherished memories. In 2023, she moved to Goshen, Kentucky, where she resided with her daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Rock Smith.
On August 13, 1994, Shirley married the love of her life, Frank Bailey. Together they shared a beautiful marriage filled with love, laughter, and treasured memories. Their time together brought Shirley great joy, and the love they shared remained a source of strength throughout her life.
A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, Shirley's faith was the foundation of her life. She lived her faith daily through her compassion, generosity, and unwavering love for others. Her greatest wish was for everyone she loved to know and trust God. Her simple but powerful advice to family and friends was, "Know and trust God."
Shirley was a fiercely loyal friend and a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She found joy in canning and freezing fresh vegetables, fishing, crocheting, playing cards, cooking, and singing karaoke with friends. Nothing brought her greater happiness than gathering with family around the table. Her family will forever remember her incredible cooking, especially her beloved chicken and dumplings, which became a favorite tradition and expression of her love.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lula Ellen Cole; her beloved husband, Frank Bailey; sisters, Opal Hayes and Christine Adkins; and brothers, John D. Cole and Carl Cole.
She is survived by her sisters, Gladys Jenkins and Patricia Buchanan; sisters-in-law, Lillian Curley (Jimmy) and Joyce Huff; her children, Diane Smith (Rock), Jimmy McCord (Karen), Michael McCord (Amy), Monty Bailey, and Derek Bailey; grandchildren, Jeremy McCord, Jasen Hargrove (Traci), Catie Wilson, Brandy Clifton (Terry), Erin McCord, Alex McCord (Ally), Amber Clouse (Adam), and Ashley Singletary; 14 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Though she will be deeply missed, her family finds comfort in knowing she is reunited with loved ones who have gone before her and is now resting in the eternal peace of Heaven.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, with family visitation from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and public visitation from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m., with burial immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Hosparus Health of Louisville in Shirley's memory.
"Know and trust God." Those words served as Shirley's guiding principle throughout her life and remain a lasting legacy of the faith, love, and strength she shared with everyone she knew.
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