JoAnne Bailey

JoAnne Kintzley was born in the early spring of 1941 to Roy and Edna in The Dallas, Oregon. Lore has it that the pastures greened up early, and the bluebirds flitted when Mom joined brother Larry on the High Prairie, Washington cattle ranch. It was wartime here in the States meaning life was much different than today. Tragedy struck early in Mom's life. At the early age of eleven, the young family lost Roy. Edna moved the family to Lyle where Larry assumed family responsibilities at the tender age of fourteen. After graduating from Lyle High School Jodi-gal married her high school sweetheart, Leon Hamlin. She was expecting her first child at twenty when she lost her mother. These devastating early life experiences shaped our mom into the nurturing, compassionate person we have all known. After raising Ty, Tina, and Tod on a small farm outside Kennewick, Mom embarked on another family adventure. Jo remarried to Irvin Bailey, and Mother's clan grew to six with Kelly, Carmen, and Karla Bailey joining the crew. Next a move to the Bailey family farm in St. John and ideas of adopting came to Mom and Irv. Six separate trips to China later, Mom's crew grew to twelve. Sami, Annie, Shania, Luke, Elle, and Levi were blessed with Mom and Irv's upbringing.

Mom was employed at many positions during her working years while at the same time raising all those kids. She never tired. Tougher than a two-dollar steak, Mom was a shining example of how to accomplish a demanding physical task yet have enough love left over to make you feel loved, whole.

Mom drove school bus for both the Finley and St. John-Endicott school districts. Not only did she mentor her kids but all their friends and classmates. She spent more time on bleacher seats watching kids compete in multiple sporting venues than most butts could stand. In Mom's world, support and caring were more important than who won or lost.

Our loving Mommy had a lot of cookie jars and a lot of critters. Irv collected cars (mostly Studebakers) while Mom collected cookie jars of every size, shape, color, and origin. Every time Irvy bought a car, she would find several more cookie jars. Critters were a constant throughout her lifetime. She loved (most) everything we brought home. Only she could know how many different animals were blessed with her care. The nesting boxes up on High Prairie are once again gathering bluebirds but their mood this spring is more melancholy.

JoAnne is survived by her children, 14 grandchildren, and a great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Edna, her brother Larry, Leon Hamlin, and Irvin Bailey.

The family would like to thank Windriver Place and Horizon Hospice in Spokane, Wash., for their exceptional and compassionate care.

The viewing will take place on Friday, April 14, 2023, from 2-5pm at Corbeill Funeral Homes in Colfax, WA. The celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 12pm in the St. John School Gymnasium (301 W Nob Hill, St. John, WA 99171). Vault interment will follow at the St. John Cemetery and a potluck will be hosted at the Eccles Community Hall. Memorials are suggested to the St. John-Endicott Scholarship Foundation in JoAnne Bailey's name: PO Box 411, St. John, WA 99171. Online condolences may be sent to http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com. Corbeill Funeral Homes of Colfax is caring for the family.