Barbara Ellen Bailey

Barbara Ellen Bailey, age 78, passed from death into life to be reunited with her soulmate Joe on March 1, 2026. She was a loving wife, cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Her wit and wisdom will be deeply missed.

Barbara was born on October 25, 1947 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Betty Anne and A.C “Jake” Jacobi. She was the oldest of eight children. She dedicated her life to her family, making sure everyone had a place to stay and a place at her table with a wonderful meal she loved to prepare. Her green thumb showed brightly every spring as her flower gardens came to life. She loved spending time with her family, sewing, playing gin rummy, and working jigsaw puzzles. Anyone who knew her knows her competitive nature always came out in every family game that was played. Just like her husband Joe, Barbara was not big on looking important to anyone but rather making her family and all those around her feel very special and important. She was loving, kind, honest and always told it like it was. She was someone you could always count on with a big hug, sweet smile, and words of wisdom during the good times and the not so good. Her devout faith and strong commitment to Jesus was an example to everyone she met. Barbara was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Besides loving to attend church, she loved counting the collection and working on the bulletins with her “old folks” team at the church. When her children were young she spent her time being a Room Mother, Den Mother, and slumber party hostess with the Mostest.

She has always been detail orientated, organized, and worked in the accounting field. She helped her husband build and manage a thriving photography business, Bailey and Skipper Photos, for many years. Prior to retiring from Trade Fixtures/NewLeaf Designs, she worked at Griffin Leggett Funeral Home. Back in High School she spent her summer as a volunteer Candy Striper for St. Vincent’s Hospital. Barbara attended Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic School and graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s Academy, Class of 1965. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband and soulmate for over 56 years, Joe Bailey, her parents Betty Anne Jacobi and A.C. “Jake” Jacobi, brother Bert Jacobi, and sister Martha Jacobi. Barbara leaves behind her loving daughter Melissa Bailey, caring son Cade (Shelly) Bailey, and precious granddaughter they raised Rachel (Antonio) King. To her grandchildren Melea Bryant, Andrey Bryant, and Collin (Paige) Smith she was Meemaw and “Meemaw The Great” to her great-grandchildren, Carter King, J’lhani Bryant, Alannah Wyrick, and Easton Smith. She’s survived by her siblings Matt “Jake” (Keli) Jacobi, Mark (Sandie) Jacobi, Sarah (Randy) Hobart, Nancy Battisto, and Luke Jacobi along with many, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Her service includes a mass at 10:00, Saturday, March 7th at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 1321 S. Van Buren St., Little Rock, AR followed by lunch and fellowship with the burial at 2:00 at Forest Hills Cemetery, 10200 AR-5, Alexander, AR.

Smith Little Rock Funeral Home

8801 Knoedl Ct, Little Rock, AR 72205 501-224-2200

www.SmithFamilyCares.com