Betty Bailey

Betty Mae Ford Bailey

Betty was born to Idella and Clarence Ford on July 10, 1926 in Sacramento and passed peacefully on October 18, 2024. Betty was a second generation Californian and a resident of Sacramento her entire life. She attended David Lubin School and Sacramento High School. She and our dad, David R. Bailey were married in Sacramento after Dave’s service in WWII on April 24, 1947. They were a wonderful team until David’s passing in 2022.

Betty and Dave lived in many different homes in the Sacramento area including Arden Park, Oak Vista Drive, Rubicon Lake Tahoe, Stanley Avenue overlooking the river, beautiful Campus Commons, and finally decided to live independently at Eskaton Village Carmichael. They collected many life-long friends along the way. Betty was a fisherman, snow skier, water skier, golfer, and exceptional gardener. She grew prolific amounts of fruits and vegetables, that were eagerly shared with neighbors, friends and baked and prepared for family and friends.

Our mom was the consummate homemaker, a “Martha Stewart” of her time. She sewed, and knitted and was a wonderful flower arranger too. She volunteered in the Sacramento community with the Junior League, KVIE auction, Camp Fire Girls leader and the Arden Park park and recreation district. She was an avid reader, along with forming a group of women friends to learn investing called the Wonders of Wall Street. The “WOWS” had guest speakers to teach them the intricacies of investments Betty excelled at learning, researching, and investing in the stock market, and that became her passion for the rest of her 98years.

Betty and Dave had 3 children and Betty is survived by her two daughters, Joan Shewmaker of Shingle Springs and Betsy Wadman of Bakersfield. She was loved by her five grandchildren, and her 11 great-grandchildren. Each holds on to very dear memories of their times together. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and son Bill Bailey.

Betty’s request for cremation will be at East Lawn Mortuary, and her ashes scattered by her family.

Rest in Peace mom.