Louise Bailey

Louise Bailey, 92, of Pampa, passed away on Friday, August 11, 2023, in Amarillo.

Services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at the Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Rev. Byron Williamson, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating, and Austin Bailey, Louise’s grandson and the Senior Pastor of Pine Lake Covenant Church in Sammamish, Washington, assisting. Burial will follow at Mobeetie Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Louise was born on January 24, 1931, in McLean, Texas to Theodore Charles and Ida Mae Ring Matthews. She married Olen “Bill” Bailey on December 27, 1948, in Groom, Texas. The couple moved to Pampa in 1950 and have been in the community ever since. Louise started her career as a banker soon after she and Bill moved. She was the first female senior officer at the First National Bank. After 45+ years there, she retired at age 67. Bill preceded Louise in death in 2010 after 62 years of marriage.

While Bill was still living, he worked the Jasper Johnston ranch in Mobeetie. After his death, Louise continued to run the family cow-calf operation, up until the day of her death. When she wasn’t at the farm, Louise loved to spend time with family and travel. She took numerous trips to Colorado, New Orleans, Branson, and visited places like San Francisco, Nashville, and Ireland.

Louise was a kind lady and loved to serve others. She was involved in several organizations in the Panhandle throughout the years. She served as the president of the Pampa chapter of Altrusa International Foundation from 1985-1987 and had been a member since 1976 to the present. Louise was a co-founder of the Tralee Crisis Center for Women in 1983 and was one of the original members of the board. She helped organize the Tralee Crisis Center Thrift Store and often worked at the cash register. Most of her post-work wardrobe came from the thrift store, spending as much as $0.25 per item. She was also part of the Pampa Widow’s Club, Twentieth Century Study Club, serving multiple terms as president, a board member of the Pampa Salvation Army, a member of Beta Sigma Phi, and a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Pampa. Louise generously contributed to her church family and was passionate about serving and bettering her town.

Louise is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill Bailey; son, Stephen Bailey; sister, Loretta Hiltbrunner; and brothers, Charles Matthews and Herschel Lee Matthews.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Chenault and husband Donald of Austin; daughter-in-law, Julie Bailey of Seattle, Washington; three grandchildren, Ben Bailey of South Carolina, Katherine Bailey of North Carolina, and Austin Bailey and wife Ashley of Seattle, Washington; great-grandchildren, Ellie Bailey, Gwen Bailey, and Stephen Bailey, all of Seattle, Washington; two sisters, Juanelle Harris and husband Robert of Trinity, and Dorothy Vearner of Amarillo; brother, Wallace Matthews of Bryan; and numerous other extended family members.

The family would like to thank BSA Hospice of the Southwest, Kristin Shouse, and Jera Williams for caring for Louise.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Louise's name to the Tralee Crisis Center, 308 S. Cuyler St., Pampa, TX, 79065, or to First Baptist Church, 203 N. West St., Pampa, TX, 79065.

Please sign the online register at www.carmichael-whatley.com.