Joyce Ann Bailey, 80, passed away peacefully Sunday March 29, finally being freed from the grip of the cruel, relentless disease, Alzheimer's.

Joyce was the daughter of the late Gus and Jane Bailey of Mars Hill. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her significant other, Frank Kelly, sister Edna Robinson and her husband Kermit, whom she loved as a brother, sister Genive Ramsey, and brother Vaughn Bailey. Before her memories of them were ripped from her, she missed them all dearly. Two nieces, Wanda DeHart and Annette Ducker and nephew Ricky Robinson passed during her Alzheimer's journey, so she didn't know. Now she is reunited with and remembers each and every one of them.

Left behind to cherish her memory, her daughter and best friend, Renee Lively and her husband Rex. Two grandsons who were her pride and joy and she loved more than anything in this world, Chad and Gannon (Emma Hubbard) her twin brother Morris Bailey (Geniva). Several nieces and nephews who were all very special to her and close to her heart, with one niece being like a daughter to her, Danita Robinson.

She resided in Hendersonville, NC so she could be close to her daughter, son-in-law and grandsons. They were her life. So many memories were made and shared with them.

Mom, we will hold onto those precious memories forever. We loved you dearly. There will forever be a huge hole in our hearts. We can't imagine our lives or a world without you in it. We will always keep your memory alive. We have grieved for you while you were here with us, and although we are grieving now, we know that you are in a much better place, and at peace from the battle you fought that was impossible to win. I knew you would fight hard, because that's who you were, but I also knew in the end, it was inevitable that you would lose. In my eyes though, you didn't lose. You won Mom, look where you are at. You remember me now, you know I'm your daughter, and Chad and Gannon are your grandsons, you know everybody you loved. No suffering, no pain, no sorrow and most importantly, no Alzheimer's. You won! You crossed that finish line, you left that ruthless disease behind. Alzheimer's will never make it to Heaven, so when it came in your life to destroy it, it didn't because it ended up sending you to your eternal home, where you've always wanted to be and where you belong. That Mom, is the biggest victory in your lifetime.

The 7 years that were taken from you, taken from us, I did remember for you, I kept my promise and always remembered for you.

The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the CNAs and nurses that showed compassion and became such an important part of Mom's life. Each of you showed her compassion, kindness, and exceptional care-and some of you grew to truly love her. There are far too many to name, but if you are reading this, please know how much you meant to her and to all of us.

We would like to recognize one caregiver in particular who went far beyond her role. She didn't just care for Mom-she loved her with the same tenderness and devotion as if she were her own momma. She became a constant presence in Mom's life and truly became part of our family. Michaela Kendrick, thank you for touching Mom's heart so deeply. She loved you, and I saw it every time her face lit up when you walked into the room.

We would also like to thank her special niece, who was more like a sister, Loretta Jamerson, for the wonderful care, compassion, and love she gave her and a dear friend, Barbara Medford, whom Mom loved and thought the world of.

We are forever grateful to each and every one of you, and to all who helped in any way-through your care, your kindness, your prayers, and your love. From the biggest gestures to the smallest acts, none of them went unnoticed. This was a long and difficult goodbye, and we could not have made it through without you.

A Graveside Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory, Asheville.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org