Gwendolyn Yvonne Williams Bailey was born January 21, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois. She was the 6th child of Rev. Alvin Edvin Williams and Leola Dearborn Williams. Gwen, as she was affectionately called, attended McCosh elementary school and graduated from Englewood High School. She received an associate degree in Business Technology from Wilson Jr. College. She later graduated from Chicago State University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology then later went on to become a Licensed Funeral Director and a Licensed Embalmer with an associate degree in Mortuary Science from Worsham College of Mortuary Science.

At an early age, she professed her love for Jesus Christ by being baptized and attending Ebenezer Baptist Church and Greater Shiloh Baptist Church with her family. She united with Woodlawn Union Missionary Baptist Church in 1941 under the direction of her father, Rev. A. E. Williams where she stayed until she came to Florida in 2005. During her years at Woodlawn, she was a member of several choirs, the church treasurer and performed numerous duties as a faithful member of Woodlawn.

While growing up and throughout her life, Gwen helped raise her five younger brothers and sisters and she loved taking care of her family and friends that needed assistance.

In 1956, she united in holy matrimony to Grady Bailey, Sr. From that union two children were born, Grady, Jr. and Gloria Yvette.

In 1989, she became a licensed Minister at the Reynolds Institutional Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois.

In 2014, she united with Greater L.I.F.E. Christian Church in Tampa, Florida, where she was affectionately referred to as "Mother Bailey" and where she attended at the time of her home going. Her favorite songs were "Near The Cross" and "God Spoke To Me One Day".

Gwendolyn departed this life on April 8, 2020 at 3:24am. She leaves to cherish her loving memories: two children, Grady Jr. and Gloria Yvette (Gerald); three grandchildren, Grady "Trey" III, Jade Rochelle and Gerard James; two sisters, Alfreda Emma and Sharon Marie; one half sister, Lillian Maria; one best friend, Ruth Robinson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Alvin Edvin Williams and Leola Dearborn Williams, her spouse, Grady, Sr. and her siblings, Herman, Alvin Jr., Fred, Margie, Marcel, Leo, Omega and Mary.

Gwendolyn will be laid to rest at Burr Oak Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois on Friday, April 24, 2020.
We will greatly miss you. We love you, but God loves you best!