Carla Mae Bailey

CARLA MAE BAILEY

Marion

Carla Mae Bailey, 74, of Marion, Iowa, passed away

on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, at her home. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. Family will greet friends and family from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. A celebration of Carla's life will follow at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Pastor Melanie Van Weelden officiating. A private family committal service will take place at a later date.

Carla was born on May 5, 1947, in Mount Vernon, Iowa, the daughter of Carl and Norma (Bailey) Bair. She was a 1965 graduate of Tipton High School in Tipton, Iowa. Carla was united in marriage to Donald E. Woode in 1966. To this union two children were born: Michael and Michelle. They later divorced. On Sept. 18, 1993, Carla was united in marriage to Lester "Les" Owen Bailey in Memphis, Tenn. For many years, she was self-employed as an in-home daycare provider. Carla loved caring for babies and children. She then went to work for Kid's Kampus, while also working part-time for Sam's Club. She left Sam's Club as a supervisor after nearly 17 years and began working as a sales associate for Kohl's. Carla was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids. In her earlier years, she was a member of the Cedar Valley Street Rods Car Club of which she volunteered countless hours to support Camp Courageous. Carla enjoyed dancing, traveling, camping, card-making and playing cards, especially Euchre and Golf (the card game). She also enjoyed watching NASCAR racing, following Jeff Gordon. Carla was a 'people person' and loved socializing. For years, she frequented Carlos O'Kelly's on Sunday nights with her friends. With her birthday on Cinco de Mayo, Carla enjoyed drinking margaritas. Most of all, Carla loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and attending their school activities. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Carla is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband of 28 years, Les Bailey of Marion; son, Michael "Mike" (Michelle) Woode of Marion; daughter, Michelle "Shelby" (Allen) Foster of Las Vegas; two stepsons, Ryan (Lynette) Bailey and Eric Bailey, both of Des Moines; five grandchildren, Alexis "Lexi" Woode, Mercedes "Sadie" Woode, Stone Foster, Tynlie Bailey and Rypken Bailey; sister, Jean Detert of Ottawa, Ill.; one niece; three nephews; and her beloved dog, "Bailey," who was her pride and joy, they were inseparable.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Norma Bair; and sister, Bonnie Bair.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Carla's memory may be made to Camp Courageous.

Please share a memory of Carla at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.