AUBURN — Velma Jean Brown Bailey, 89, of Auburn, passed away Thursday, March 29, 2018.
She was born August 6, 1928, in Newville to the late Paul and Olive (Jackson) Furnish.
Jean married Elson Humes Brown on Nov. 24, 1946, in Spencerville, and he passed away March 3, 1974. She married Lamar “Bud” Bailey on Jan. 2, 1982, in Auburn, and he passed away Aug. 13, 2005.
Jean was a homemaker. She loved flowers and spending time in her garden, but her true passion in life was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving are three sons and two daughters-in-law, Monte L. and Mona Brown of Spencerville, Gary Elson and Asonya Brown of Columbus, Ohio, and Dr. Leslee Paul Brown of St. Joe; a daughter and son-in-law, Lisa M. and Buford “Buck” Collins of Auburn; four grandchildren, Erin Thomason, Ryan Cox, Erika Brown and Brian Brown; and five great grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Dawn Christine Brown; brother, Lavon Furnish; and four sisters, Rosemund Northrup, Doris Yoder, Laverne Rafine and Marcella Brown.
A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Waterloo Cemetery, 538 N. Center St., Waterloo, with Pastor James Erwin.
Memorials may be directed to Auguste’s Cottage.