Hilda Bailey

Hilda Susan Donaldson Bailey, age 94, passed away February 15, 2020, in McCaysville. She was born July 17, 1925, in McCaysville, to the late Ernest Edwin Donaldson Sr. and the late Jessie Roberta Dunagan Donaldson. Hilda graduated Salutatorian from Copperhill High School in 1941 and continued her education at Tennessee Wesleyan College, graduating in 1943. 

Over the years she enjoyed traveling to visit family, spending time with friends, cooking new recipes and solving crossword puzzles. Mrs. Bailey was a faithful member of Copperhill First United Methodist Church. She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother, and dearly loved her family and church.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Clement Miles Bailey; sister, Jane Donaldson Wiggins; brother, Ernest Edwin Donaldson Jr.; and son-in-law, Larry Bartlett.

Survivors include her daughters, Susan Bartlett and Laurel Bailey; grandsons, Michael (Sue) Bartlett, Cole Bartlett and Gary (Amanda) Richmond; great-grand daughters, Alex and Grace Bartlett; sisters-in-law, Colleen Bailey Henson and Susan O’Neal Donaldson; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

A private graveside service was conducted in the Copper Ridge Memory Gardens with the Rev. Jennings Neeld officiating. No visitation was held. A Celebration of her Life will be held at a later date. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Copperhill First United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 538, Copperhill, or to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent online to www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of the arrangements.