Ernestine Bailey

With her family by her side, Ernestine Bailey (Nee: Kirk), age 81, passed away peacefully at her residence, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. She was born in Catron, MO, July 9, 1944, daughter of the late, John and Katie (Nee: Gladney) Kirk. She was the youngest of nine children, eight girls and one boy, her twin.

On September 16, 1967, she was united in marriage to Calvin E. Bailey. Ernestine had a strong work ethic and was employed by the Racine Unified School District, hot lunch program, for 30 years and retiring as Supervisor in 2003. She was a charter member and Mother of Trinity United Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Buddy O. Vinson. Ernestine loved flowers, cooking, traveling and testing her luck at the casinos.

She was loved dearly and will be sadly missed by her husband, Calvin of 58 years; son, Calvin L. (Karen) Bailey; daughter Daphne Foster; grandsons, Calvin C. Bailey, Kyle Bailey and James Foster; great granddaughter, Kylee Bailey; sister, Marvie Harris; sisters-in-law, Ressie Kirk, Connie Derrickson, Karen Johnson and Gayle Lucas; brothers-in-law, Greg Orrington and Christopher Derrickson, a host of other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by six sisters, Thelma Kirk, Trennie Shannan, Myrtlene Donely, Margaret Branch, Ruth Anderson, Anna Dees and her twin brother Eugene Kirk.

Funeral services celebrating Ernestine’s life will be held at 11:00 am at the funeral home, Saturday, February 7, 2026, with Pastor Buddy O. Vinson officiating. Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family for Visitation on Saturday at 10:00 am until time of service at the funeral home. Private interment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Aurora at Home Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.