Diane Bailey

May 10, 1953 - April 3, 2011

Diane K. Bailey passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at her home in Graceville after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 57. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by many friends and family. Diane grew up in Greenwood, FL, the daughter of a farm family. She learned early the importance of hard work and close family ties. After graduation from high school, Diane attended Judson College in Marion, AL and later Troy University earning a degree in business and elementary education. Diane began a long and accomplished teaching career in Grand Ridge and subsequently transferred to Graceville Elementary where she taught fifth, fourth and third grades for over twenty-five years prior to her retirement in 2009. Many wonderful friendships that Diane treasured through the years were fostered from her teaching career in Graceville. Diane truly loved educating her students and teaching along side numerous friends. Diane was honored through the years by the numerous requests from parents to have her teach their children. While her career was important to her, nothing compared to spending quality time with her family. Even during her illness, Diane loved to spend time with her husband and family , especially her grandchildren. Diane's grandchildren truly loved spending time with "grandmother" and she in turn loved them dearly. Diane was preceded in death by her father, Ivan E. Kunde of Greenwood, FL. She is survived by her loving and faithful husband O. Sam Bailey of Graceville, one son and daughter-in-law Rob and Cyndee Hinson of Slocomb, AL, one daughter Amy Hinson of Panama City, mother Harriett Kunde of Greenwood, four grandchildren Emma Claire Hinson, Brianna Bossert, Katee Brown all of Slocomb, Jayda Hinson of Panama City, FL, one step-son Brett Bailey(Tammy) of Graceville, two step-grandchildren, Tiffany and Brittany Flournoy, brother and sister-in-law Van and Susan Kunde of Marianna, FL, several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Graceville with Rev. Dan Rhodes officiating. Burial will follow in Marvin Chapel Cemetery with James & Lipford Funeral Home in Graceville directing. Family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Flowers accepted or those wishing may make memorials to Covenant Hospice 4440 Lafayette St, Suite C, Marianna, FL 32446. We wish to express our sincere appreciation to Covenant Hospice Nurses, Case Workers and Staff for their care and devotion they showed to my wife, my daughter, our mother...