Lela Leona Bailey

Lela Leona Brooks Bailey, 99, of Morgantown and Ocala, Florida, died Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Mon Health Medical Center.

She was born April 27, 1924 in Tioga, WV, a daughter of the late Allen and Lucy Ellen Lewis Brooks.

She was a member of the College Park Church of God in Ocala, FL. She was a graduate of Cowen High School in 1945; Glenville State College in 1953; University of Florida, M. Ed in 1958; and West Virginia University. C.A.S. in 1969.

She was an educator in the public schools of Florida and West Virginia. She served 42 years in the areas of early childhood education, teacher, reading specialist, and public school administration. She also taught graduate, as well as undergraduate classes at West Virginia University in the summers of 1964 and 1966.

She taught Sunday school classes, chaired church committees, served as President of Wesleyan Service Guild, President of Monongalia County Teachers Association, President of Monongalia County Reading Council, Vice-President of West Virginia Writer's Association, Editor of West Virginia Writer's News Letter, Historian for Phi Delta Kappa (W.V.U.), Secretary for W.V.U. Alumni Association, Regional Director for WV Association of Classroom Teachers, and a member of civic clubs including Morgantown Toastmaster's and Flatts Homemakers.

She also organized the Golden Rod Writer's Group, and set up a volunteer reading clinic for children. Other volunteer work includes working for the Salvation Army in Florida, and teaching at Warner Southern College in Lake Wales, FL. Author: The effects of Speed Reading Exercises, listed in Who's Who of American Women, 10th Edition, 1977-78.

She is preceded in death by two sisters, Retha Brooks McAvoy & Hertha Brooks; and four brothers, Denzil Franklin Brooks, Sterling J Brooks, Kenneth R. Brooks, and Bernell Z. Brooks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her honor to Suncrest United Methodist Church, 479 Van Voorhis Rd., Morgantown, WV 26505.

Friends and family will be received at Suncrest United Methodist Church, 479 Van Voorhis Rd., Morgantown on Thursday, October 12th from 6-8 PM and again on Friday, October 13th from 9 AM until the time of the funeral service at 11 AM with Pastor Larry Buckland and Pastor Junius Lewis officiating. A second service will be held in the area she grew up at Alderson Missionary Baptist Church, Alderson Church Rd., Craigsville, WV on Saturday, October 14th from 11 AM until the time of the service at 12:00 Noon with Pastor Samuel Luppino and Pastor Junius Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at West Virginia Memorial Gardens in Calvin, WV.

Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.