Nora Rutherford Bailey

Bluefield, VA- Nora Rutherford Bailey, 67, of Bluefield, VA was called home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 14, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the daughter of the late William J. and Rebecca A. Rutherford. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Roger Rhea Rutherford. Ms. Bailey was a faithful member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Bluefield, WV and the Church’s Singles Group. She had a special love for people as expressed in ministering to the needs of others and volunteering for the Bluefield Union Mission Food Pantry and the Wade Center. Ms Bailey was a 1968 graduate of Graham High School and graduate of Virginia Tech. She was an avid G-men and Hokie fan. Ms. Bailey worked in Saudi Arabia as a dietician for many years. Upon her return to the States, she settled in the Roanoke, VA area working in food service. In order to be closer to family, she returned to Bluefield to serve as Office Manager for Rutherford’s Electronics and continued in this position until her passing. She retired from H & R Block, Princeton, WV. Ms. Bailey will be remembered for her loving nature, caregiver attitude, gift of hospitality, generous spirit as well as her extensive giraffe collection. She loved her family and spending time with friends. Ms. Bailey had the opportunity to travel the world, but much more enjoyed traveling with nieces and nephews learning at historical sites and visiting a zoo or aquarium. One of her favorite destination sites was Atlantic Beach, NC where she would take an early morning walk looking for shells or pass time sitting on the beach by the water’s edge reading a good book. She loved life and scheduled every minute so as not to waste one moment. Ms. Bailey will be missed by all who knew her. Family left to cherish her memory are Aunt Harriett Poulos, Culpepper, VA; Uncle Sam Damewood and wife Millie of Lashmeet, WV; sister Patricia Harton and son Chris of Bluefield, WV; brother William C. Rutherford and family, Cindy Sparks, husband Shaun and daughters Raegan and Kellan of Waynesboro, VA; Michael Rutherford and girlfriend, Jamie Garman of Roanoke VA; niece Lara Rutherford of Charleston, WV; and extended family and friends. Ms. Bailey was a true friend to all, and was blessed to have three very special life-long friends who walked this journey with her: Emma “Jackie” Roach of Axton, VA, main caregiver; Connie Earls Pennington of Blacksburg, VA and Darlene Johnson Bowers, Bluefield, VA. The family of Ms. Bailey would like to thank the Westminster Church Family, Caregivers and Devoted Friends for their support, encouragement and prayers during her final days. The family will receive friends at Westminster Presbyterian Patterson Chapel on Friday, November 18 one hour prior to a Celebration of Life Memorial Service to be held at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Ms. Bailey requested in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Union Mission Food Pantry, 2203 Bluefield Avenue, Bluefield, WV 24701 or Westminster Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1258, Bluefield, WV 24701. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Ms. Nora Rutherford Bailey.

Nora Rutherford Bailey

November 14, 2016