Martha Virginia Bailey (Dawson)

Beloved Christian, wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend passed away Tuesday afternoon, March 4, 2025. She was 81 years old. Born in Marshallville, Wayne County, Ohio on Valentines Day, 1944, to George F. and Lucy Dawson.  She grew up with 14 older siblings. Her siblings most prominent in her adult life included: Irene (Homer) Rigney, George (Mary) Dawson, Noralee (John) Elrod, Ethel (Bob) Moreland, Dollie (Ed) Everhart, Goldie (Albert) Yacapraro, Mildred (Clem) Bratcher, Charlie (Irma) Dawson, Mary (George) Smith, Lucille Pritchard (Jack), and Louie (Beverly) Dawson. She graduated from Wooster High School where she had many friends which she remained in contact with most of her life.

Martha went to Riggs-Lamar Beauty School in Akron, Ohio and earned her cosmetology license.  While in Akron, she met her lifelong love of 62 and a half years, Thomas (Tom) Carlton Bailey.  They were lifelong traveling companions and adventurers! Martha raised 3 daughters: Tania (Mike) Dressler, Ronda Bailey, Ginger (Marc) Yoder and stepson, Thomas Clifford (Vicki) Bailey with her husband, Tom.

Martha was a homemaker and worked periodically throughout her years.  She was a Girl Scout troop leader, an assistant softball coach, and was deeply involved in her children’s activities and education. Martha never knew a stranger and loved to make people happy and helped others every chance she could. Her hobbies included cake decorating and photography, which she took classes for.  She enjoyed her work at Silver Lake Florists and delivered flowers during several key holidays. She also worked for Geppetto Dolls at Chapel Hill Mall during Christmas Holiday Seasons. 

She was preceded in death by all her siblings as well as her parents and survived by her husband and children. Martha enjoyed her 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Her faith in our Savior carried her through life and guided her through many relationships. She cherished her large immediate family, her husband's family, and their combined family's growth. She was joyful and easily shared her joy with others. While she had occasional struggles she relied on her faith and family for her strength. Martha’s joy, thoughtfulness and wisdom will be missed by her friends and family!

Services will be held on Monday, March 10, 2025, at The Chapel of Prayer Baptist Church, 1811 Brittain Road in Akron and include: 11:00 a.m. viewing, 12:00 p.m. funeral and 1:00 p.m. lunch. Martha’s burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, Marshallville, Ohio. There will be no procession to the cemetery following the services.