Grace Ursula Bailey

Grace Ursula (Simpson) Bailey of Treasure Island, Florida, passed away on April 22, 2026 at the age of 91. Grace was born in Dell, Arkansas where she grew up on a family farm with her parents, Elmer Arnold Simpson and Emma Edith Simpson, and her 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Her father was Navy, so Grace lived in various locations across the States. She married in Pensacola, Florida to Weldon J. Bailey, who was active Army, and had a heart for young adult ministry, singing, counseling, and business.

Grace’s life calling was nursing. She earned her BSN at the Emory University of the School of Nursing, Atlanta, Georgia, and provided care wherever she lived. Her nursing journey led to Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, where she became Director of the LPN program at the Bloomington Votechnical School and her husband worked for the State Farm Home Office. After her husband’s passing, she relocated to Treasure Island, Florida to be closer to family. Grace artistically expressed herself through poetry, pottery, sculpting, charcoal sketches, and painting. She loved God and His creation.

Grace is Christian by faith. She loved the family atmosphere of the Episcopal Church, joyfully serving through the Parrish Nursing program and the Altar Guild, and by her kindness and hospitality.

Grace is preceded in death by her husband, Weldon Joseph Bailey, her sister Christine Carol (Simpson) Blackburn and brother Elmer Arnold “Buddy” Simpson Jr, and her parents Elmer Arnold Simpson and Emma Edith (Visconti) Simpson. Interment will be at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois.

Grace is survived by her three children, Weldon, Christopher, and Lydia (Bailey) Countryman, her 2 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, as well as by immediate family members.

The family would like to thank everyone for the care, compassion, love, and prayers they shared with us and with Grace over our entire lifetime.