Nora Helen Bailey went home to be with the Lord on Monday, September 11, 2017 at the age of 71. She was born in Houston, Texas on December 26, 1945. She is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Hayne Bailey, and her parents Dorothy and Grover Baker. Nora is survived by her three daughters, Beverly Ewald and husband Allen, Valerie Riggs and husband Mike, Natalie Coffing and husband Chris; her nine grandchildren, Drue Ewald, Bailey Ewald, Courtney Riggs, Laurie Mann & husband Luke, Bradley Riggs, Alexa Hamm & husband Josh, and Jacob Coffing; her brother John Baker and wife Shirley, her sister Gaye Rick, and her devoted dogs Amy & Alex.

Nora met Hayne while working at Oak Forest Bank on 43 rd and Ella in Houston, and they married soon afterwards in May of 1964. Their marriage was quickly blessed with 3 precious daughters within the first five years. Nora adored her girls and she shared a special, fun-loving relationship with her grandchildren. She was overjoyed and honored to participate in two of her granddaughter's weddings.

Nora had many gifts and talents, some of which were gardening, sewing, and none of us will ever forget her greatest gift….her gift of gab! She took great joy in her beautiful home and her yard. Her gift of gardening was evident in her yard and she even won "Yard of the Month" at one time. She would rather be in her yard "digging in the dirt" than anywhere else! She also greatly enjoyed sewing, and she sewed many of her girl's matching outfits, prom dresses, and bridesmaid's dresses. In later years, she had her own sewing shop in which she shared her master skills as a seamstress. Nora never met a stranger and loved sharing stories, a gift which she inherited from her father! She had a heartwarming laugh and could easily carry on a conversation with anyone she met.

While she enjoyed life greatly, she struggled with many medical issues which limited her ability to take part in activities she once enjoyed. Even through her struggles, she managed to make those around her laugh and everyone enjoyed her company, whether in a doctor's office, the hospital, or with a complete stranger in the store. God blessed her with an outgoing personality and the gift of His peace. Through this peace she was able to persevere through her health issues in the hope of getting back to activities she once enjoyed.

As a family, we are each heartbroken in our loss, yet we are blessed for every day we had with her. We celebrate her homecoming and her reunion with our dad. We will miss her laugh and generous spirit, but most of all each of us will miss the unique and special relationships we shared individually with her. Nora had many expressions she liked to use, and one of her favorites was, "The Lord puts us in the right place at the right time, never early – never late, always right on time". This one holds very true to us, and we have assurance that the Lord took her in His perfect time. We will greatly miss her but are blessed to be a part of her remarkable legacy.