Willie Vivian Bailey

LTC Willie Vivian Bailey (Ret)
United States Army Nurse Corps

Augusta, GA - Willie Vivian Bailey entered into rest on Thursday, October 2, 2014. Vivian was born on May 12, 1923 in Modoc, SC to Henry William Bailey and Willie Ethel Holson Bailey. She was able to care for her beloved parents in their later years.

Vivian is preceded in death by her parents, her brother: Henry E. Bailey, formerly of Augusta; her sister: Martha Hazel Bailey Moore, formerly of Charleston, SC; a nephew: William F. Moore, also of Charleston.

Surviving family members include a brother: Heyward H. Bailey and wife Mary Harriss Whitaker Bailey, both of Augusta; nieces: Patricia Moore Dorrity (Lewis) of Greenwood, SC; Elizabeth Bailey Hodges of Augusta; Lydia Bailey Brown (Michael) of Louisville, KY; Kyndra H. Moore of Charleston, SC; nephew: Herbert L. Moore, Jr. (Kathy) of North, SC.; along with many great and great-great nieces and nephews, who will all cherish the wonderful years they had together and will mourn her passing.

The Bailey family moved to August in 1940 and joined First Baptist Church when it was on the corner of Eighth and Greene St. this church remains the family “Rock” to Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Vivian graduated from Washington High School in Modoc. She received her nursing degree from Chandler Hospital in Charleston and graduated from University Of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She later earned her Master’s in Hospital Administration from Baylor University.

In 1949, she joined the US Army Nurse Corps. She was privileged to serve throughout the US, Germany, the Middle East, Korea, Philippines and on the first naval medical ship USS Comfort. She was a team member on one of the early open heart surgeries performed at Walter Reed Hospital and supervised by Christian Barnard, M.D. In 1964 Vivian served as the Nurse Procurement Officer for the US Army. She retired as a LTC in 1969

In 1970 the Richmond County Hospital Authority invited her to work for the University Hospital as the Administrator of Nursing Services. Vivian became known as “Florence Nightingale” to many as the hospital because of her love and care for the patients. Her daily patient visits and avocation for their care earned her this moniker.

The most important things in Vivian’s life were her love for God and family. She appreciated God’s beauty throughout the world and loved to travel. Golf and gardening were her favorite hobbies. She met many cherished friends throughout her journey and had a special place in her heart for each of them.

Vivian’s last years were without speech or the ability to walk, but her eyes and smiles were always filled with love and beauty.

A graveside service will be Monday, October 6, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. in Westover Memorial Park with Dr. Greg DeLoach and Dr. R.J. Robinson officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the graveside.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com