Edith Bayless

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Edith Evelyn Bayless, age 95, of Joplin, Mo. passed away at 9:22 a.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at St. Luke’s Nursing Center in Carthage, Mo. Edith was born April 15, 1928 in Waterloo, Nebraska, the daughter of James and Genevieve Miller. She grew up in the suburbs of Omaha, Nebraska, and returned to Waterloo where she graduated from Waterloo Public schools in 1946.

Edith married Edward D. Bayless on December 1, 1946 in Waterloo where they resided until 1958 when they moved to Joplin, Mo. where Ed attended Ozark Bible College. They were involved in located Christian Ministry for many years including 20 years with Cookson Hills Christian Ministry in Kansas, Oklahoma.

Edith was a member of First Christian Church of Webb City, Mo. and a former member of College Heights Christian Church of Joplin. She was also a member of the Town and Country Quilt Guild. Her passion was sewing, handwork, and quilting. She enjoyed volunteering, and selling items she made at the Webb City Farmer’s Market for 7 years.

Edith was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Bayless, her parents, and a sister, Nancy Young.

Survivors include four sons, Jim Bayless, Webb City, Mo., Rick Bayless and wife Melinda, Crestwood, Ky., Kevin Bayless and wife Jo Rae, Leon, Ks. and Jack Williams and wife Adrienne, Raytown, Mo., three daughters, Kathy Wright and husband Richard, Cynthia Cheesebrough and partner Jason, and April Smallwood and husband Aaron, all of Joplin, Mo., 14 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at First Christian Church of Webb City with Lynn Ragsdale, and Jay St. Clair, Ministers Officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Church. Burial will be in the Liberal, Mo. Cemetery. 

Her grandsons serving as pallbearers will be Mark Wright, Matthew Bayless, Eli Bayless, Zachary Bayless, Kameron Williams, Micah Williams, and Jade Smallwood. 

Memorial contributions are requested to God’s Resort in care of the Mortuary. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, Mo.