Reba Bailey

Reba Jean Bailey, 92, of Sugar Land, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.

Reba was born in Big Spring, Texas to Tracy Roberts and Adele (Thomas) Roberts on October 29, 1929.  The eldest of three children, she graduated valedictorian from Big Spring High School in 1947. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from North Texas State University (now UNT) in 1950, and her Master of Education at Sul Ross State University in 1972.  She began her 35-year high school teaching career in Sweetwater, Texas, where she met and married her husband Tommy Ross Bailey on June 1, 1952.  After teaching biology at Lubbock High School until 1958, she and Tommy relocated to Odessa, where for the next 30 years she taught biology and later served as a counselor at Odessa High School.  After retiring in 1988 she became an avid artist and painter, achieving multiple regional awards and was an active participant in the Odessa Arts Association.  She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church.  A devoted and loving wife to her husband Tommy, Reba was a wonderful, dedicated, and inspiring mother to her two sons Thomas Glenn and James Robert (Bob).

Reba is survived by her two sons Glenn and wife Beverly of Alpharetta, GA, and Bob and wife Jenny of Missouri City, TX; four grandchildren, Becky and husband Austin of Cedar Park, TX, Ken of Acworth, GA, Jason of Lubbock, TX, and Brandon of Missouri City, TX; and two great-grandsons.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Tommy, and sisters Donnie Byrne and Kitty Holley.

A private graveside funeral service will be held July 8, 2022 at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family asks you to consider a donation to the Odessa Arts Association at https://odessaarts.org/