Vernelle Augusta Alvina Holtz- Bailey was born April 26, 1922 in Beemer, NE. To the parents of Arthur Holtz and Anna Borgelt Holtz. She had a sister, Verdeen, and a brother, Elwood.

On March 21, 2026, at the young age of 103 years old, God called her home from Jackson, TN.

At the age of seven, Vernelle's mother passed away leaving her husband and daughter with the responsibility of raising the family's children. Anna was a seamstress that dressed her daughters in identical yellow sack cloth dresses which they wore every day to school. Vernelle dropped out of school after the eight-grade. She went to work washing dishes at a cafe with her sister. She left the cafe and went to work for a photographer taking pictures and developing them. From there she went to work as a nanny and housekeeper for a prominent Banker in Fremont, NE. Every day she would make homemade ice cream for the family. Vernelle then met the love of her life, Delwin Bailey, who enlisted in the Navy. After serving his country, Vernelle and him married and moved to Omaha with their two children, Dianne and Randy.

Vernelle began working at a small Supermarket until it was bought outby Hinky Dinky, where she was a checker until she retired. While there she won a contest as “Queen Checker of the Year” for the Midwest division where she also received a plaque and diamond wrist watch. Her and her family then moved to San Diego, CA. They started a janitorial business, and worked until the age of 80. Vernelle loved the San Diego weather, planting tomatoes, drinking fresh squeezed orange juice daily and eating her favorite seafood. In her spare time, she loved baking and listening to country music.

Upon leaving California, the family moved to Jackson, TN. for 10 years until Vernelle passed away.

Vernelle was preceded in death by her husband, Delwin Bailey, father Arthur Holtz, mother Anna Borgeldt – Holtz, sister Verdeen Uehing, brother Elwood Holtz, niece Barbara Uehing and daughter in-law Siny Bailey.

She is survived by her children Dianne Bailey and Randy Bailey, granddaughter Brandy Bailey (Steven) King, niece Kathy (Jimmy) Gibney, and numerous nieces and nephews.