Obituary of Viola J. Bailey

Viola Janet Thompkins Bailey (nee Mason) was born April 24, 1919 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Leon and the late Laura Mason (nee West).

Vi as she was affectionately known as was educated within the Philadelphia Public School System graduating from the original West Philadelphia High School.

Vi married the late Maurice Thompkins from this blessed union four loving children were born, the late Leonard Tyrone (Chicken), Maurice (Bug), Myrna Dawn, and the late Ronald Lee (Butch) Thompkins.

Vi was employeed as a supervisor at Lakeland Hospital until her retirement.  She also served as Committeewomen in both Lawnside and Chesilhurst.

Vi moved her family to Lawnside,NJ and then to Chesilhurst, NJ after finding real estate opportunties.

Vi was blessed to find love again with the late Clifford Bailey.  The two were united in holy matrimony.  Together they raised her four children and seven of the nine nieces and nephews following the passing of his sister Gertrude.  Once the raising of children was complete the two decided to relocate their home and themselves to Freeport, Bahamas.

Upon her return to the United States she made her home in Columbia S.C. where she became a classroom grandparent for 20 + years at the E. Taylor Middle School in Richmore, Columbia, S. C.  She was in Charlotte Ferguson's classroom until her daughter's illness when she returned back to Chesilhurst, NJ until God decided to take her to her final stop in her journey.

Through all Vi's ups and downs life's twists and turns she always came through it as the shining "Eastern Star", that she was.

Vi was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sons Leonard (Chicken) and Ronald (Butch) Thompkins and her grandson Joel.

Vi leaves to cherish her precious memory to her two surviving children: Maurice and Myrna; grandchildren: Marty, Kim, Francine, Geanna (Andre), Julian (Andrea), Jeffery (Michelle), Armin (Inayah); sixteen great grandchildren; ten great-great grandchildren; two great great-great grandchildren; one sister: Joan; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.