STAMFORD - Doris Marie Elwyn Bailey

Prayer Warrior, Woman of God

The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time for everything under heaven. "A time to be born, A time to die...A time to grieve and a time to dance." Today we mourn but we also celebrate the life and legacy of Doris Bailey: beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend.

God had his hand on Doris' life from the very beginning. She was the youngest daughter of Henry and Gladys (Babcock) Elwyn. Doris was born prematurely May 14, 1933, at her parent's farmhouse in rural New York. She weighed less than 3 pounds and was placed in a makeshift incubator, a shoe box behind the woodstove. Doris was not expected to survive, but here we are 91 years later paying tribute to an incredibly special lady.

Doris married Don Bailey in February 1953 in Stamford, and they settled in the same area while Don worked for Breezy Acres farms. The couple became adept at being fruitful and multiplying by welcoming seven children to their family in a nine-year time span. God's miraculous hand again showed up in 1961 when He rescued the entire family from a house fire that destroyed their home and belongings. Shortly after the fire, the Bailey family relocated to North Jackson, Pennsylvania when Don accepted a new farming opportunity on Page's Dairy farm. It was during this season that Doris pressed into the word of God and the seedling of faith blossomed within her. God continued to mature Doris' faith under the discipleship of close friend Ruth Leonard and called her to serve as a child evangelist in the Good News Club.

In 1969, Don and Doris stepped out in faith and purchased Maple Brook Farm on Searles Hill Road in Bainbridge with a down payment. Don and Doris partnered together, working long hours to make the farm prosper and to provide for their family. God gave them another blessing when they added an eighth child to their family through adoption and a ninth added when they took in a friend of their youngest son to live with them. To help make ends meet, Doris also babysat for local children, all who still lovingly refer to her as "Grandma Bailey."

Doris had a heart for children and a passion to teach them about Jesus. She was a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Sidney and served by teaching Sunday school and working in VBS in addition to working as a deaconess. Doris was disciplined in having daily quiet time with God and He groomed her into a seasoned prayer warrior who spent much time on her knees with her Savior. Her living testimony was an example for all who knew her. Doris's heavenly homecoming has left a hole in the hearts of all who loved her, but we rejoice that she is now free from pain.

Doris was predeceased by her parents; husband, Don, daughter, Beverly, and all her siblings. Doris is survived by her children and their spouses: Bonnie and Mark Rine of Phoenix, Arizona, Deb and Dan Wilson of Palm Coast, Florida, Donna and Steve Henry of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Allen and Debbie Bailey of Wallkill, David and Roni Bailey of Sidney, Dennis and Alana Bailey of Sidney, Barb and John Nober of Greene, and Larry and Ruby Valentine of Sidney. Doris's legacy begets 28 grandchildren and their families, including 62 great-grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of life in honor of Doris Bailey at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at Gateway Alliance Church in Sidney, followed by a time for fellowship and reminiscing with snacks and desserts.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the benevolent fund at Gateway Alliance Church. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com.