Billy Joyce Bailey

Billy Joyce Bailey was born in Selma, Alabama, on July 23, 1948, to parents Gwendolyn Florence Bailey and Theopolis Bill Bailey, Sr.

At an early age, Joyce accepted Christ as her savior and became a member of the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, where she attended elementary school. In later years, Joyce joined Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church. Joyce attended R. B. Hudson High School in Selma, where she became active in the Civil Rights movement, participating in the historic Bloody Sunday march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

After high school, Joyce met and married Anderson James Smith; to this union one son was born.

Joyce spent years working in Brooklyn, New York, and Detroit, Michigan, before finally settling in Dallas, Texas, where she worked at the Dallas Naval Air Station before commencing a 25-year career with Frito-Lay North America, Inc. Joyce was a dedicated conscientious employee working her way up to Material Service Manager for Dallas Baked Snacks. Joyce met and mentored numerous company employees, forging lasting friendships and cherished extended family.

While in Dallas, Joyce met and married her beloved husband, Vernon Crawford.

Joyce was lifted into the arms of her Heavenly Father in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Preceding Joyce in death are her parents and her brother Theopolis Bill Bailey, Jr. as well as her maternal and paternal grandparents. She leaves to mourn her devoted husband Vernon Crawford;  son Anderson James Smith, Jr. (Janita); a fur baby, Cody Crawford;  her grandchildren, Shakia Smoot (Marcaz), Shanice Smith, and Anfernen Stubbs; her siblings, Patricia Diane Bailey Hardy, Regina Joan Bailey, Rosalyn Elaine Minter (Nora), Alisa Gail Dowling (Stacy), and James Patrick Bailey; in-laws, Pamela Austin, Deborah Fuga (Leonard), Sharon Austin, Donald Austin, Willie Austin, Ronald Austin, Darryl Austin, and Kevin Austin; nieces and nephews, Deborah Joyce Wright, Barbara Joann Patterson, Reginald Leon Patterson Jr, Tammy Denice Patterson, Trenaye Bailey, Rev. Florence Bailey, Miracle Bailey, Tashana Bailey George, Darrell Anthony Minter (Mashika), DeJuan Smith (Katria), Carvin Smith, Martrell Smith (Samatha), and Marquell Smith; a special daughter, Jazmin Mosley; special cousins, Rolanda Cole, Nina Tucker, Renee Crummel Bunn, William Brown, and Lucille Parker; a goddaughter, Zavia Michelle George; 5 great-grandchildren; 26 great-nieces and -nephews; and a host of relatives, friends, church family, and neighbors..

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