Ada M. Bailey, 94, of Leicester, NC, went to be with the Lord on February 22, 2022. She was born May 5, 1927, to Joseph Daniel "Dan" and Addie Crawford Hensley, of Mars Hill. Ada was a farmer before being a lady farmer was cool. Her neighbors called her "Farmer Ada" and she also worked at American Enka Plant in the 1960's. She was a member of Little Ivy Baptist Church. She loved to sing, especially in church. Ada often sang the old hymns for the residents and staff at Accordius Health where she resided.

Ada was an avid gardener and the vegetable gardens she grew each summer were truly works of art. The vegetables made wonderful ingredients for the delicious dishes she made. She was an amazing cook and baker, and her chocolate pie was famous among family and friends.

Most of all, Ada was the most amazing wife and mother and worked very hard to protect and provide for her family.

Ada is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jeter Bailey; siblings, Garland, Floyd, James, and Grady Hensley; Pansy Ray; Polly McMahan; and daughter-in-law, Susie Bailey.

She is survived by her daughter, Joan Schuler, of Santa Marie, CA, and son, Ronnie Bailey of Cosby, TN; grandchildren, Michael Bailey (Jill), Jerry Bailey (Christy), Lisa Moore (Troy), Renee Zaruba (Jeremy), Michelle Allen (Jack), Brooke Fowler (Blake), Rocky Reeves (Misty), Shannon Erickson (Keith); and great grandchildren, Garrett Bailey, Jessica Williams (Cory), Dakota Waldrop, Jeffrey Bailey, Samiel Bailey, Logan, Amber, Page, and Jacob Wyatt, Ashley Crow, Ryan, Madison, and Emma Reeves, Kimberly, Keith, Camra, and Jeremiah Erickson, Grayson, Makenna, and Kinsley Bowman, and Jackson and Shane Allen; and 12 great-great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 12:30pm Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Middle Fork Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Reverends Zac Szabo and Jeff Haney will officiate. The family will receive friends from 11-12pm Saturday at Blue Ridge Funeral Service.

Many thanks to the staff at Accordius Health of Asheville for the wonderful care they provided during Mrs. Ada's stay there.

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