Louise King Howe Bailey, 94, of Flat Rock passed away Sunday, December 27, 2009 at Pardee Hospital.
Beloved storyteller and historian of Henderson County, Louise Bailey was a great-great-granddaughter of Judge Mitchell King, one of the first residents of early Flat Rock's summer colony. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. William Bell White Howe III; her husband, Dr. Joseph Bailey; a son, Bill Bailey; and two brothers, Joe and Bill Howe. A native of Henderson County, Louise was born July 6, 1915, in Hendersonville. Her family moved to Flat Rock when she was 12. She attended the Fassifern School for Girls in Hendersonville, then continued her studies at Winthrop College in Rock Hill, S.C., where she earned a degree in biology. She later graduated from Columbia University in New York with a degree in library science. She served as a library science training school supervisor at Winthrop College, and also worked as an English teacher in Edgefield, S.C.
For 42 years Louise Bailey penned the column "Along the Ridges" for the Hendersonville Times-News, and she authored nine books including her latest, "Remembering Henderson County."
The Louise Bailey Archives in the library at Blue Ridge Community College contains awards and bound volumes of her newspaper columns. In great demand as a public speaker, she gave 479 talks on local history, culture and nature to a wide variety of groups. She was the speaker at the Carl Sandburg Symposium at Western Carolina University in 1993. She was also the designated tour guide for St. John in the Wilderness, her home church.
Defined by graciousness, humility and a quick wit, Louise enthusiastically shared her knowledge and wisdom. One of her many fans once described her vocal resonance as having the quality of "honey melting languidly over the edge of a warm cat-head biscuit."
Her numerous awards included the North Carolina Society of Historians Religious Book Award in 1995 for her book on St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, and the Western North Carolina Historian of the Year in 1997, among others.
She was a member of the National League of American Penwomen and an honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She actively served the community through boards, committees and her church. She was a former board member and trustee of the Henderson County Public Library, the BRCC Education Foundation and Historic Flat Rock. She also served on the Board of Visitors at Kanuga Conference Center. N.C. Rep. Carolyn Justus presented Louise Bailey with perhaps her greatest honor: The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the governor of North Carolina. Louise was also honored when Sept. 25, 2009, was declared "Louise Howe Bailey Day in Henderson County by the Board of Commissioners and by Saluda (Polk County) and all of Henderson County's local municipalities.
She is survived by a sister, Jennie Merrill, of Greenwood, Va., and two sons, Joe Bailey and Dr. Robert Bailey and their families. With a twinkle in her eye and a captivating smile Louise celebrated life right up to the end, enjoying a gathering of family and friends in her home on Christmas Day. During her spirited 94 years Louise Bailey touched the hearts of many. She lives on through her rich legacy of books and articles and the poignant memories she created.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock. Father John A. Morton will officiate, assisted by The Rev. H. Alexander Viola and Rev. Deacon Joyce Beschta
Beloved storyteller and historian of Henderson County, Louise Bailey was a great-great-granddaughter of Judge Mitchell King, one of the first residents of early Flat Rock's summer colony. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. William Bell White Howe III; her husband, Dr. Joseph Bailey; a son, Bill Bailey; and two brothers, Joe and Bill Howe. A native of Henderson County, Louise was born July 6, 1915, in Hendersonville. Her family moved to Flat Rock when she was 12. She attended the Fassifern School for Girls in Hendersonville, then continued her studies at Winthrop College in Rock Hill, S.C., where she earned a degree in biology. She later graduated from Columbia University in New York with a degree in library science. She served as a library science training school supervisor at Winthrop College, and also worked as an English teacher in Edgefield, S.C.
For 42 years Louise Bailey penned the column "Along the Ridges" for the Hendersonville Times-News, and she authored nine books including her latest, "Remembering Henderson County."
The Louise Bailey Archives in the library at Blue Ridge Community College contains awards and bound volumes of her newspaper columns. In great demand as a public speaker, she gave 479 talks on local history, culture and nature to a wide variety of groups. She was the speaker at the Carl Sandburg Symposium at Western Carolina University in 1993. She was also the designated tour guide for St. John in the Wilderness, her home church.
Defined by graciousness, humility and a quick wit, Louise enthusiastically shared her knowledge and wisdom. One of her many fans once described her vocal resonance as having the quality of "honey melting languidly over the edge of a warm cat-head biscuit."
Her numerous awards included the North Carolina Society of Historians Religious Book Award in 1995 for her book on St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, and the Western North Carolina Historian of the Year in 1997, among others.
She was a member of the National League of American Penwomen and an honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She actively served the community through boards, committees and her church. She was a former board member and trustee of the Henderson County Public Library, the BRCC Education Foundation and Historic Flat Rock. She also served on the Board of Visitors at Kanuga Conference Center. N.C. Rep. Carolyn Justus presented Louise Bailey with perhaps her greatest honor: The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the governor of North Carolina. Louise was also honored when Sept. 25, 2009, was declared "Louise Howe Bailey Day in Henderson County by the Board of Commissioners and by Saluda (Polk County) and all of Henderson County's local municipalities.
She is survived by a sister, Jennie Merrill, of Greenwood, Va., and two sons, Joe Bailey and Dr. Robert Bailey and their families. With a twinkle in her eye and a captivating smile Louise celebrated life right up to the end, enjoying a gathering of family and friends in her home on Christmas Day. During her spirited 94 years Louise Bailey touched the hearts of many. She lives on through her rich legacy of books and articles and the poignant memories she created.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock. Father John A. Morton will officiate, assisted by The Rev. H. Alexander Viola and Rev. Deacon Joyce Beschta
Louise King Howe Bailey, 94, of Flat Rock passed away Sunday, December 27, 2009 at Pardee Hospital.
Beloved storyteller and historian of Henderson County, Louise Bailey was a great-great-granddaughter of Judge Mitchell King, one of the first residents of early Flat Rock's summer colony. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. William Bell White Howe III; her husband, Dr. Joseph Bailey; a son, Bill Bailey; and two brothers, Joe and Bill Howe. A native of Henderson County, Louise was born July 6, 1915, in Hendersonville. Her family moved to Flat Rock when she was 12. She attended the Fassifern School for Girls in Hendersonville, then continued her studies at Winthrop College in Rock Hill, S.C., where she earned a degree in biology. She later graduated from Columbia University in New York with a degree in library science. She served as a library science training school supervisor at Winthrop College, and also worked as an English teacher in Edgefield, S.C.
For 42 years Louise Bailey penned the column "Along the Ridges" for the Hendersonville Times-News, and she authored nine books including her latest, "Remembering Henderson County."
The Louise Bailey Archives in the library at Blue Ridge Community College contains awards and bound volumes of her newspaper columns. In great demand as a public speaker, she gave 479 talks on local history, culture and nature to a wide variety of groups. She was the speaker at the Carl Sandburg Symposium at Western Carolina University in 1993. She was also the designated tour guide for St. John in the Wilderness, her home church.
Defined by graciousness, humility and a quick wit, Louise enthusiastically shared her knowledge and wisdom. One of her many fans once described her vocal resonance as having the quality of "honey melting languidly over the edge of a warm cat-head biscuit."
Her numerous awards included the North Carolina Society of Historians Religious Book Award in 1995 for her book on St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, and the Western North Carolina Historian of the Year in 1997, among others.
She was a member of the National League of American Penwomen and an honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She actively served the community through boards, committees and her church. She was a former board member and trustee of the Henderson County Public Library, the BRCC Education Foundation and Historic Flat Rock. She also served on the Board of Visitors at Kanuga Conference Center. N.C. Rep. Carolyn Justus presented Louise Bailey with perhaps her greatest honor: The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the governor of North Carolina. Louise was also honored when Sept. 25, 2009, was declared "Louise Howe Bailey Day in Henderson County by the Board of Commissioners and by Saluda (Polk County) and all of Henderson County's local municipalities.
She is survived by a sister, Jennie Merrill, of Greenwood, Va., and two sons, Joe Bailey and Dr. Robert Bailey and their families. With a twinkle in her eye and a captivating smile Louise celebrated life right up to the end, enjoying a gathering of family and friends in her home on Christmas Day. During her spirited 94 years Louise Bailey touched the hearts of many. She lives on through her rich legacy of books and articles and the poignant memories she created.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock. Father John A. Morton will officiate, assisted by The Rev. H. Alexander Viola and Rev. Deacon Joyce Beschta
Beloved storyteller and historian of Henderson County, Louise Bailey was a great-great-granddaughter of Judge Mitchell King, one of the first residents of early Flat Rock's summer colony. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. William Bell White Howe III; her husband, Dr. Joseph Bailey; a son, Bill Bailey; and two brothers, Joe and Bill Howe. A native of Henderson County, Louise was born July 6, 1915, in Hendersonville. Her family moved to Flat Rock when she was 12. She attended the Fassifern School for Girls in Hendersonville, then continued her studies at Winthrop College in Rock Hill, S.C., where she earned a degree in biology. She later graduated from Columbia University in New York with a degree in library science. She served as a library science training school supervisor at Winthrop College, and also worked as an English teacher in Edgefield, S.C.
For 42 years Louise Bailey penned the column "Along the Ridges" for the Hendersonville Times-News, and she authored nine books including her latest, "Remembering Henderson County."
The Louise Bailey Archives in the library at Blue Ridge Community College contains awards and bound volumes of her newspaper columns. In great demand as a public speaker, she gave 479 talks on local history, culture and nature to a wide variety of groups. She was the speaker at the Carl Sandburg Symposium at Western Carolina University in 1993. She was also the designated tour guide for St. John in the Wilderness, her home church.
Defined by graciousness, humility and a quick wit, Louise enthusiastically shared her knowledge and wisdom. One of her many fans once described her vocal resonance as having the quality of "honey melting languidly over the edge of a warm cat-head biscuit."
Her numerous awards included the North Carolina Society of Historians Religious Book Award in 1995 for her book on St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, and the Western North Carolina Historian of the Year in 1997, among others.
She was a member of the National League of American Penwomen and an honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She actively served the community through boards, committees and her church. She was a former board member and trustee of the Henderson County Public Library, the BRCC Education Foundation and Historic Flat Rock. She also served on the Board of Visitors at Kanuga Conference Center. N.C. Rep. Carolyn Justus presented Louise Bailey with perhaps her greatest honor: The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the governor of North Carolina. Louise was also honored when Sept. 25, 2009, was declared "Louise Howe Bailey Day in Henderson County by the Board of Commissioners and by Saluda (Polk County) and all of Henderson County's local municipalities.
She is survived by a sister, Jennie Merrill, of Greenwood, Va., and two sons, Joe Bailey and Dr. Robert Bailey and their families. With a twinkle in her eye and a captivating smile Louise celebrated life right up to the end, enjoying a gathering of family and friends in her home on Christmas Day. During her spirited 94 years Louise Bailey touched the hearts of many. She lives on through her rich legacy of books and articles and the poignant memories she created.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock. Father John A. Morton will officiate, assisted by The Rev. H. Alexander Viola and Rev. Deacon Joyce Beschta
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