04/01/2026
Our family is heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved mother, Mavis Lewana Bailey, age 93, of Craigsville, WV, who passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at the Webster Healthcare Center in Cowen, WV.
The world has lost a bright light. Mavis was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and cherished friend. She was the cornerstone of our family, a source of endless love and strength. She was born in Widen, WV, on May 31, 1932, the daughter of the late Archie “Lee” and Mary “Ethel” Hamrick Underwood.
A graduate from Richwood High School, Mavis began her career as a nurse’s assistant at the old Sutton Hospital working in the nursery where her passion was nurturing all the newborn infants. During her lifetime, she held many jobs in the Craigsville community.
Mavis was an exceptional cook – making everything home made and “from scratch”. Her door was always open and there was always an extra place setting at her table. She was warm and welcoming – making everyone feel like family. She enjoyed shopping, feeding the deer, playing dominos, beating everyone at Rummy (while getting all the black queens) and creating riots with her famous desert.
Mavis was a member of Alderson Missionary Baptist Church for 60 years and sang in the church choir.
She is preceded in death by the love of her life, Eugene D. Baley, whom she was married to for 69 years; her parents, Archie “Lee” and Mary “Ethel” Hamrick Underwood; siblings, Junior (Barb) Underwood, Roland (Shirley) Underwood and Deloras (Jim) Weatherford.
She is survived by her sons, David (Vikki) Bailey of Fredericksburg, VA, Tim Bailey (Robin McClure Warren), of Chesapeake, VA; daughter, Sonja K Craft, of Craigsville, WV; brother, Gene (Betty) Underwood, of Canvas, WV; grandchildren, Brian (Betty) Bailey, of Newport News, VA, Amber (Brett) Edwards, of Charlotte, NC, Cory Bailey of Coats, NC, and Courtney Bailey, of Raleigh, NC.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her legacy of love, kindness, and strength will live on through her children and grandchildren. They will carry her memory in their hearts forever.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 03, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Alderson Missionary Baptist Church, Craigsville, West Virginia, with visitation 2 hours prior to the service from 11:00am – 1:00pm at the church. Officiating will be Pastor Samuel Luppino and Rev. Eddie Groves. Interment will follow at West Virginia Memorial Gardens in Calvin, West Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in memory of Mavis to Alderson Missionary Baptist Church PO Box 280, Craigsville, WV.