Date Line: Wilson, NC

Shirley Bryant Edmondson Bailey, a resident of Wilson, and formerly of Bethel, died Wednesday December 30, 2020 in Greenville.  She was born in Bethel on February 17, 1936 to the late Wiley L. Bryant and Lula Brown Bryant. She was predeceased by her first husband G. Mahlon Edmondson whom she was married to for 25 years, and later married Edward S. Gibson who also preceded her in death. Shirley was also preceded in death by one sister Margaret B. Spooner; three brothers, Harold, Virgil, and Coy Bryant. Survivors include her husband Troy Henry Bailey of the home; two daughters, Pamela Dillon (Joe) of Winston Salem and Mahlonie Leggett (Buster Lassiter) of Grifton; also surviving are grandchildren: Matthew Leggett, Adam Leggett, Mary Mooring, Ashly Grubb, Matthew Lassiter, Thomas Nisbet, William Nisbet, and John Nisbet, and seven great grandchildren.

Shirley was devoted to her family and thoroughly enjoyed spending holidays and vacation time with her family, and especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed a very successful career, primarily in the cotton business, starting at Bethel Manufacturing Company in the late 1950's and later at several cotton gins in eastern NC after the resurgence of the cotton industry. She held a variety of offices in the Southeast Cotton Association and loved to travel, often with her daughters, to the annual meetings. In 2012, Shirley was honored by being named the Southeast Ginner of The Year, the first female to be awarded that distinction. Shirley retired in 2013 as gin manager of Silver Lake Cotton Gin in Wilson, NC.

A private celebration of her life will be held at the family plot in the Bethel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that you consider donating to Vidant Health Foundation VMC Palliative Care, PO Box 8489, Greenville, NC 27835

Walker-Ayers Chapel of Bethel is honored to serve the Edmondson-Bailey family.

Online condolences may be directed to www.walkerfh.net .