Sue Rebecca Bailey, 75, of Luray, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg, surrounded by family.
She was born on August 16, 1949, in Luray and was a daughter of the late Thomas Vinton Pierce Sr. and Mildred Henrietta Chrisman Pierce.
Sue retired from Bo’s Belly Barn in 2021 after working there for over 20 years. Prior to Bo’s, she spent many years as the manager of Pizza Hut.
Sue’s favorite activities were spending time with family, going to thrift stores and yard sales, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and day trips to the casino in Charles Town, WV.
Sue was a member of the Fletcher's Chapel Community Church in Luray.
On January 25, 1968, Sue married Ned McKinley Atkins, who died on December 6, 1969.
She is survived by two daughters, Christine Strecky (Steve) of Bridgewater, and Melissa Jones of Fort Valley; two brothers, Thomas V. Pierce Jr. (Ruth) of Monroeville, PA, and John Pierce (Jeanine) of Bristol, VA; eight grandchildren; Jennifer Waddell (Wes), Stephen Strecky (Amanda), Blake Jones (Gina), Lacie Jones (RJ), Catherine Bailey, Matthew Jones, Jerelyn Bailey (Phil), and Trucker Aleshire; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
Sue is survived by many nieces and nephews, many of whom she helped raise and were as close to her as her own children. She is also survived by her best friend, Carolyn Presgraves. She was preceded in death by a son, Gregory Bailey; a sister, Mildred Elaine Pierce, and stepmother, Hope Pierce.
Friends and family will remember Sue as a caretaker, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. She will continue to be respected and loved throughout the community.
As per Sue’s wishes, burial will be private. The family is holding a Celebration of Life for Sue on Sunday, March 23, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Luray VFW Comer-Jones Post 621.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Luray Volunteer Fire Department in her memory.