Dorotha Lee Howard-Bailey

Mrs. Dorotha Lee Howard-Bailey, age 92, of Harrisburg and formerly of Benton, passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at her home in Harrisburg.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Trent Duncan officiating. Burial to follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to the funeral hour at 11:00 a.m. at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Dorotha was born on April 4, 1931, in Benton, Illinois; the daughter of Lewis Barnfield and Tena (Roper) Barnfield. She married Daniel J. Howard on April 17, 1949, and he preceded her in death on December 7, 1987. Dorotha would later marry Earl G. Bailey on November 8, 2002, and he passed away on September 14, 2022.

She was a graduate of Benton Township High School Class of 1949. Her working career was as a cook with Akin Grade School, where she worked for over 30 years, until her retirement.

Dorotha was a member of North Benton Missionary Baptist Church and for the past twenty years she and her late husband Earl attended McKinley Baptist Church of Harrisburg.

She enjoyed worshipping her Lord and Savior at both North Benton and McKinley Baptist churches.

Dorotha also enjoyed dining and visiting with friends at Golden Circle Senior Citizens of Harrisburg. She also enjoyed gardening. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving are two sons: Ted Howard and wife Patty, Jim Howard and wife Becky, both of Benton; grandchildren: Tracy Lee Norris and husband Brian of Benton, Illinois, Wesley Clay Beaty and wife Jessica of North City, Illinois, Christie Pacha and husband Ken of Bloomington, Illinois, John D. Howard and wife Sarah of Marion, Illinois, Matthew G. Howard and wife Sarah of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Nathan Beaty and wife Katrina of Ewing, Illinois; ten great-grandchildren: Mason, Madi, Logan, Olivia, Isaac, Caleb, Ella, Aiden, Trevor and Chase; a sister Jean Rose of Cadiz, Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two husbands.

Memorial contributions may be made to the North Benton Baptist Church or to Golden Circle Senior Citizens; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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