Owney Bailey's Obituary
Owney Lee Bailey, 64, of Mays Landing, NJ passed away peacefully at home on November 16, 2013. Born in Bridgeton, NJ to the late Roy Bailey and Hazel Coombs Bailey, she grew up in Bridgeton. A graduate of Bridgeton High School in 1968, she was a member of the band playing the clarinet. She graduated from the Pierce Business School in Philadelphia, PA where she earned an associate degree in Business Administration. Owney continued on to study at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education and later attended Glassboro State College (Rowan University).
She married Alfred Lockett in 1972 while living in Bridgeton and begot her only son, Eric. Divorcing in 1974 she moved to West Deptford, NJ where she worked for the county. In the 80s, Owney moved to Franklinville, NJ and later began working at Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. Because of health issues she retired from the Taj Mahal Casino in 2000 and moved to Mays Landing, NJ. After a stroke and heart issues, she eventually completed her rehabilitation at the Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation in Pomona, NJ where she later became an active volunteer. She was recognized by the Atlantic County Office of Intergeneration Services for volunteer work at the Bacharach Institute as volunteer of the year in 2010. She was also active in the local board of elections, the Woodlands homeowners association, and the County Board of Transportation for Handicap.
Owney’s passion was cooking. She often made a healthy version of dishes that weren’t good for you, healthy by substituting some of the “bad” ingredients for more healthy choices. She especially enjoyed making Christmas cookies for her loved ones which was no small feat and required her to go to great lengths to ensure they got made and delivered. Throughout the years she would gather the kids up and make cookies. She always found out what your favorites were and would send you a special package. She always felt that “handmade” gifts really showed more thought, consideration, and love than anything store bought.
Owney leaves to mourn her loss, her long-time significant other, John Kee; a son and daughter in-law, Eric and Ayisha Lockett; two grandchildren, Asha and Serena; two brothers, Radcliffe and wife Brenda Bailey, John and wife Evelyn Bailey; one sister, Sandra and husband Deacon William Johnson; brother in-law, Earl Randolph and wife Christine; nephews and nieces, Kevin Randolph, Serena Randolph Wynder and husband Gary, Darrell Randolph, Radcliffe Bailey Jr., Roy Bailey, John Bailey III and wife Marie, Martin Bailey, Gary Bailey and wife Norma, William Johnson Jr. and wife Mary, Larry Johnson, Terence Johnson and wife Danna.
She was pre-deceased by her sister, Joyce Bailey Randolph and niece, Deandra Ford.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Funeral Services on Saturday, November 23, 2013, 11AM at the Faith Baptist Church, 829 Tilton Road, Pleasantville, NJ 08232. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services.
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