Joanna Bailey Obituary

Joanna Ray Bailey

May 27, 1934 - Mar 28, 2026

Joanna Ray Bailey, wife of Wesley Bailey, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2026, at her home at Arbor Acres. She was born the youngest of six children on May 27, 1934, in Surry County, North Carolina to Charlie Meadows Ray and Mary Etta Smith Ray.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, and two children, David Wesley Bailey, Jr. (Rebekah) and Cheryl Oliver (David), and five grandchildren: David Wesley Bailey, III (Jacqueline); Joanna Leigh Kelly (Sterling); George England Bailey (Kaliopi); Sallie J. Oliver; and Haley H. Bailey; and five great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Bonnie Ray (Max) and Mary Ann Bailey, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Joanna graduated from Pilot Mountain High School and the NC Baptist Hospital School of Nursing. Joanna was a registered nurse at NC Baptist Hospital for a short time and a highly requested private duty nurse after her marriage to the love of her life, Wesley Bailey, in 1956. Throughout her life, Joanna led the homefront with grace, skill, humor and a lot of Clorox. She taught her children with love by example and faith. Although the skill of making up a bed with perfect hospital corners may not have stuck with their children, Joanna and Wesley's faith in God, love and devotion to each other were the foundations for building a home and raising a loving family that will thrive through generations to come.

Although Joanna was a self-proclaimed introvert, she enjoyed sharing her nursing background through volunteer activities as the school nurse at Speas School, at Red Cross blood drives, and later as a receptionist in the surgical waiting area at Forsyth Memorial Hospital. Joanna grew up in the Presbyterian church and joined Wesley as a member of Maple Springs United Methodist Church upon their marriage. Joanna and Wesley made many friends in the Fellowship Class where there was always lots of laughter and food involved.

As long as she was able, Joanna loved spending time in the church kitchen with her friends preparing bereavement meals, church suppers and chicken pies. When her son went to college, Joanna filled in temporarily at Wesley's law firm, Bailey & Thomas, for 14 years. When Wesley was elected to numerous positions in the United Methodist church, including the Judicial Council, Joanna fully supported his dedication to the United Methodist church and enjoyed traveling with Wesley and friends all over the country to the meetings.

Joanna was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Charles Lee Ray, Frank Maurice Ray, Max Ray, Erline Ray Watson and Mary Etta Ray.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Asbury Place at Arbor Acres for their loving care.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at Maple Springs United Methodist Church followed by burial at Forsyth Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the Moravian Music Foundation, 100 North Main Street, Suite 1510, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Share condolences online at www.salemfh.com.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service

2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106