Constance Bailey

Constance Lowrey Bailey (Connie) of Bossier City, Louisiana, passed away on November 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Connie was born in Moss Point, Mississippi on September 20, 1946 to Eugene and Sadie Mae Lowrey.

Connie graduated from Springhill High School in 1964 and attended Louisiana Tech University. She met the love of her life, Bill Bailey, by singing, “Won’t you come home, Bill Bailey?” to him in 1965. They married a few months later in April 1966 and were together for 58 years. In 1969, she gave her life to Christ and followed Him devotedly for the rest of her days. Connie and Bill settled in Shreveport, Louisiana, then Bossier City, and have three daughters, Tina, Melissa and Jenni.

Connie’s dream was to be a stay at home mother, and she and Bill (with help from the Lord) were able to make that dream come true. She did everything she could to ensure her daughters and husband had a fulfilling, happy, and loving home. From chauffeuring her daughters to piano lessons, basketball and softball practices, dance recitals and school events, to chaperoning youth group events and teaching Sunday School, she left an indelible mark of easy laughter, kindness, and joy to all she met. Youth group members remember fondly (or maybe not so fondly) her waking them up by singing, “Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory” at the top of her lungs. This was also her favorite way to wake up her girls too, flipping on the overhead light to get them up while singing, which of course elicited much groaning from her daughters! 

She was the ultimate encourager, always lifting her daughters, her husband and her friends up to help them through the trials of life. She could be the life of the party, and she could make you laugh more than anyone with her quick wit and joy. She hosted many social events for church members and friends, served as Vacation Bible School Director, worked on many church committees, and acted as the Wedding Coordinator for a time at Airline Baptist Church. She was a faithful member of Airline Baptist Church.

Holidays were her favorite time of the year, with decorations bursting from her holiday closet that she would carefully place around the house. She could make the best fried chicken you’d ever had and the most delicious cornbread dressing at Thanksgiving (for which there was no recipe, she went by taste and feel). She made every event memorable and tried to make all birthdays and holidays special for her daughters and grandsons. 

She loved her daughters, husband, sons-in-law and grandchildren fiercely and would do anything for them, serving as protector, counselor, host, teacher, friend, parent and Granny Coco to her grandkids. 

A highlight of her life was visiting Israel with her sister and sister-in-law in 2000. She said it was so special to be able to walk in the same places her Savior walked. She grew closer to the Lord as a result of that life-changing trip.

Her final years were marked with health struggles after a series of strokes. Through all the pain and hardship, she continued to encourage and care for others. She kept her head held high through it all and fought with all she had.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Eugene and Sadie Mae Lowrey, her brothers Boyce Jean Lowrey and Wayne Lowrey, and her sister Dorothy Porter.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Bill, daughters Tina Smith (Chad), Melissa Cobb (Will), and Jenni Bailey (Jason), along with her grandchildren Reid Hawsey, Spencer Smith, Jake Cobb and James Cobb.

Her funeral will be Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Airline Baptist Church. Visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m., and the funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Officiating will be Dr. Clint Davis and Rev. Harrell Shelton, with burial after the service at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Cemetery in Bossier City. 

Pallbearers will be Reid Hawsey, Spencer Smith, Jake Cobb, James Cobb, Chad Smith, Will Cobb, Jason Bailey, and Scott Lowrey. 

Connie’s favorite Bible verse was Matthew 22:37, which says, “Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” She endeavored to live every day of her life here on Earth by those words. 

The family wishes to thank special friends Melody Cook, Krystle Tilmon, Misty Mrozek, and Michelle and Eva Poe.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Connie’s name to Samaritan’s Purse or the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.