Joan Bailey Minix Raulerson, age 82, having lived a happy and joyful life joined her Lord and Savior in Heaven on 2/16/2024. Joan was born in Douglas, GA on December 27, 1941 and was the proud daughter of William Henry Bailey, Jr. (Bill) and Bobbie Blocker Bailey. She was the oldest of 5 children.
She considered it a blessing to call Douglas home where she was a leader in civic and community affairs. Joan’s upbringing in the close-knit community shaped her values and relationships throughout her life. She was baptized and served as a life-long member of First Baptist Church of Douglas where she enjoyed worshipping and fellowshipping each week. Her strong faith in Jesus Christ was a daily walk for her.
Joan’s greatest earthly treasure has always been her family. Left to cherish the memories they made are her son Lance Minix, his wife Amanda, and grandsons, Brice and Blake. Her daughter, Melissa (Missy), her husband David Strickland, step-granddaughters Chelsea and Jamie and step-great grandson Morgan Fountain. Her loving husband, Wayne Raulerson, stepdaughter, Rebecca, her husband Remsen Parrish and step-grandson J.R… Also, her brother, Henry Bailey and many loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
As a child, her favorite place to be was the Coffee County Fishing Club with her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Lots of family get-togethers were spent on the sandbars and in a boat on the Satilla River. Visiting her Grandfather, Father and Uncle David Bailey at the Douglas Coca-Cola Bottling Company is a close second. In her youth, she cherished Sunday afternoon drives to her family’s farm at Red Bluff and growing up close to her cousins in Fitzgerald. Later in life, Joan treasured times spent at the beach with her family when Missy and Lance were young.
Joan attended school in Coffee County where she enjoyed academics and other extracurricular activities. She became a majorette in junior high and continued twirling through high school where she was the head majorette. During these times, she cultivated life-long friendships with her classmates. In 1959, her senior year, she was named Homecoming Queen. Joan was a true natural beauty; her beautiful smile, poise and grace will be missed and never forgotten.
Joan completed two years at South Georgia College in Douglas and attained an Associates’ degree in Home Economics. She was a secretary in her early years at McCrary Daniels Insurance Company, Broadmore and Fleetwood Homes before retiring from Wal-Mart Distribution Center.
During these times, she shared her love of twirling with her students of Joan’s School of Baton which she owned and operated for almost 30 years. She delighted in watching her students become more confidant in their abilities and enjoyed friendships with them and their families.
She was instrumental in bringing the Miss Coffee County pageant (A franchise of Miss America) to Douglas and was the Director for 10 years. This allowed young ladies from the Coffee County area to attend college on scholarships. She directed several other local pageants and twirling competitions throughout the years.
Later in life, she met and married a handsome, loving and funny man, Wayne Raulerson and enjoyed 23 years together. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Joan was a positive, loving and wise presence in their lives. She enjoyed creating a beautiful home and hosting family and friends at her home to enjoy meals and special moments together. She was a collector of family heirlooms and family photos. She delighted in every interaction with her children and grandchildren.
She loved gardening and spent many hours working in her yard, especially caring for her flowers. It thrilled her to plant and nourish bulbs and flowers that would colorfully decorate her yard at precisely the right times. She even enjoyed pulling weeds! She also loved bird watching usually from the comfort of her breakfast table. Cardinals were her favorite and most frequent visitors.
Joan’s family was her greatest blessing and accomplishment. She was the strongest woman her children have ever known. Her children and family were so blessed to have this extraordinary lady with them for so many years. Her memory will forever be treasured.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Bobbie Bailey of Douglas; her 2 sisters, Elaine Bailey Papadam of Athens, Greece and Vivian Bailey Spivey of Douglas; 1 brother, Bob Bailey of Moultrie, and her ex-husband and father of her children, Jim Minix.
Joan’s family would like to extend their love and thanks to the staff and caregivers at Lakeside Senior Living in Douglas for making the last years of her life more comfortable and happy.
Visitation with Joan’s family will be on Sunday February 18th, 2024, from 2:00PM until 3:00PM at First Baptist Church in Douglas. The funeral service celebrating her life will follow at 3PM.
Immediately after the service, everyone will proceed to the Douglas City Cemetery where Joan will be laid to rest. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Flower arrangements and plants are welcome. Contributions in Joan’s memory may be made to First Baptist Church in Douglas, GA.
Sims Funeral Home is in charge of the Arrangements.