Charlene Marie (Warford-Ford) Bailey now resides where pain and suffering is a thing of the past. She moved from her earthly residence at Ironwood Health & Rehabilitation Center to her heavenly home at 2:15 pm, June 10, 2010, following a lengthy illness. She was born August 20, 1927 in Kevil, Kentucky to the late Arvil "Ted" and Lillian (Carter) Warford. She spent most of her childhood years in Paducah, KY with her loving family.
In February 1946, as Charlene Warford, she married Jewell A. Ford, from Benton Harbor, MI. Of this union three children were born. Cheryl C. (Ford) Szabo-Werner, Jerry A. (Sylvia) Ford and Rick D. (Toni) Ford, all of South Bend. Unexpectedly, Charlene was left a widow at an early age. She enrolled in Cosmetology School, graduated, and became a Beautician. She worked as a Beauty Operator in Michigan, Indiana, and Arizona.
On September 1, 1959 in Jeffersonville, IN, she remarried the love of her life, Bernard "Bernie" W. Bailey. After this marriage, she lovingly welcomed two more sons, Ron Bailey of South Bend and the late Paul Bailey.
Charlene and her husband were former managers of William Penn Club of South Bend. They loved to dance, bowl and play cards with their family, friends and customers. Both Charlene and Bernie loved to dance. They sparkled like two diamonds out on the dance floor. As a couple, they belonged to 284, The Moose Lodge, The Elks, bowling leagues at the Penn, Chippewa, and Beacon Bowling Allies.
One of Charlene''s favorite holidays was Christmas. She could take a pitiful "Charlie Brown" tree and make it into a thing of beauty. When it came to shopping for presents, she would shop till she dropped. Then she would stay up all night and wrap presents.
Cooking was her specialty. Out came the Southern style cooking, candied sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing, whipped pineapple dream cake, and magnificent turkey dinners, to name a few. Most of all, Charlene loved to sew for her precious grandbabies, making soft gowns and little blankets that wrapped many grandchildren.
She leaves to cherish her memory, children, Cheryl C. Ford Werner, Rick D. (Toni) Ford and step-son, Ronald (France) Bailey, daughter in law, Sylvia Ford of South Bend, grandchildren, Angelique and Jerry Szabo, Amber and Arika Werner, Ryan, Christy, and Ross Ford, Phil and Rhonda Bailey, step grandchildren, Toni, Cindy, and Tressa; great grandchildren, Arianna Szabo and Aaron Orfanos and great great grandson, Xander Lekarczyk. She also leaves behind many other grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bernie Bailey, son, Jerry Ford, step son, Paul Bailey, granddaughter, Trina Ford, sister, Sherry Ann Warford, and brothers, Jim, Stanley and Steve Warford.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 pm, Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola with a rosary to be recited at 5:30 pm. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, June 17, 2010 in the Garden of the Last Supper on the grounds of Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Rev. Daniel Scheidt will be officiating.
Her final thoughts were with her best friend Shirley, the late Tom Rolko and god daughter, Rayelle.
Special thanks go out to Dr. Shaya Mofki and all the heartfelt and wonderful nurses and caregivers and Ironwood Health & Rehabilitation Center
Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph County Bridges Out of Poverty, 117 N. Lafayette, South Bend, IN 46601

It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
The circle of Love never ends.

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