Mrs. Treva White Bailey, 76, of Woodbury, Tennessee went on to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 6, 2023. She was born in Woodbury, Tennessee on Saturday, January 18, 1947. Preceding her in death were her husband, Roy Lee Bailey; parents, Johnny Lemuel and Dorothy Lance Thomas; brother, Johnny “Waymon” Thomas; and sister, Brenda Coleman.
She is survived by her son, Lee Bailey of Woodbury; brother, Randy Ray (Deanna) Thomas of Bradyville; sister, Linda Sue (Bobby) Simpson of Bradyville; and sister-in-law, Rita Bailey Sadler of Bradyville.
Even though she as born in Woodbury, Treva lived life on the move. Her family traveled wherever Mr. Johnny was working, and that took them to Indiana, Michigan, and Mississippi. Treva even got to go with her dad on some of his truck driving trips, but the trip that made all the difference was in 1968 when the family moved from Mississippi back to Tennessee.
Treva quickly picked up work at the hospital in McMinnville and remained there for 5 years as a CNA. It’s unclear whether she decided healthcare wasn’t the career for her or if she just couldn’t stand to miss out following the Cannon County tradition of working at the shirt factory, but Treva left the hospital and began work at ValDor. Finding her niche, she went on to work for Crane Interiors for over 20 years as a seamstress making boat seats.
Hard working and constantly on the move, Treva hadn’t made time for boys in her earlier years. It wasn’t until her late 30s that she finally met the right man. Treva and Roy decided to get married and soon after they had their bouncing baby boy. Lee was a blessing, and all of the energy Treva saved on boys in her youth she put in to taking care of Lee. He stole her heart and was her #1 job.
Other than Roy and Lee, the only men in Treva’s life were her family, and that extended to church family. She was a faithful member of Dillon Street Baptist Church, and if you wanted to know how she felt about church, look at her birthday. Treva must have been born on a Saturday because she already knew she didn’t want to miss church. Her faith and draw toward God kept her active in church until her health took a turn, but no matter what, Treva praised God through the storm and leaned on His everlasting arms.
When it came to maturity, Treva’s faith is where she showed it best. She was young at heart, and her siblings liked to pick at her, saying that was why she couldn’t get married until her 30s. That was when she finally started getting out of her teenage years, but maybe it also had to do with another man in her life. There was one man who captivated her throughout her life that wasn’t family.
He was smooth, musically talented, and called “The King.” We can bet you’ve guessed his name by now, and you’re right if you said Elvis. Treva was a big fan of his music throughout her life. When her health started failing, she would keep her mind busy listening to his music while doing puzzle books or crocheting baby afghans.
Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Sunday, April 9, 2023 from 4-8 pm. Funeral services will be Monday, April 10, 2023 at 10 am in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel. Ray Patrick and Greg Mitchell will officiate. Interment will be in Center Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Center Hill Cemetery Fund.
Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story