1923
Dorothy
2016
Dorothy Bayless
April 24, 1923 — December 29, 2016
Dorothy Mae Bell Bayless [1923-2016]
Dorothy Mae Bell was born in Canton Ohio, April 24, 1923 to Earl William and Edna Mae Edwards Bell, and died December 29, 2016 in Prairie Village, Kansas
She shared a pleasant childhood with her older brother Vernon, and formed life-long friendships with a group of 8 other girls who called themselves Tialo. During high school, in Elyria, Ohio, they enjoyed chaperoned vacations at nearby Lake Erie, and dreamt of business careers in New York City.
While a student at Bowling Green State University, Dorothy met Leo Edward (Ed) Bayless. They were married August 31, 1944 in San Diego, California.
Dorothy graduated from Bowling Green State University with a B.S. in Business in 1945. She carried a load of over 20 hours her last semester, while pregnant with her first child. Her husband, Ed was serving in the Navy at that time.
Their first two children, Kelvern and Cindy were born in Elyria, Ohio, where Ed worked for his father-in-law at the Bell Company, a men’s clothing store. Dorothy’s asthma worsened to the point that the couple decided to move West, settling first in Denver, Colorado (where Laura was born), and then Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where Nancy and Bruce were born.
Dorothy loved Colorado! She taught Sunday school, played bridge, taught her neighbors to take and develop black and white photographs in her basement darkroom, and best of all made a lasting friendship with one of her neighbors.
In 1955, Ed was offered a sales position with the Caterpillar dealership in Kansas City, Missouri. Believing that a larger city would provide better opportunities for their children, they moved to the newly developed subdivision of Indian Fields, in Prairie Village, Kansas. There they joined the Village Presbyterian Church where they still hold membership. Dorothy sang in the church choir, was treasurer of the Women’s Circles, a Stephens Minister, Deacon, and Elder. Together Dorothy and Ed formed wonderful friendships with their church family. Most Saturday nights were spent in one another’s homes playing in various bridge clubs.
Dorothy was one of the original members of PEO Chapter GZ of Kansas, formed in 1964. She enjoyed many years of fellowship with this group of wonderful women.
In the 1960’s, Dorothy joined Ed in playing golf at Milburn Golf and Country Club. They enjoyed many golf trips with friends from Milburn- to Las Vegas, Hawaii, and San Diego. For over 20 years they traveled to San Diego during the winter months to play golf.
One of Dorothy’s favorite experiences was a trip to Europe with a close friend. They visited Italy, England and Ireland enjoying local hospitality, art museums and churches along the way.
Dorothy and Ed enjoyed close friendships with several neighborhood families. Together they celebrated holidays, and special events. Dorothy was a steadfast and loyal mother, wife and friend. She was respected by those who knew her as a wise, intelligent, kind, and compassionate woman. She was non-judgmental, accepting of others, a careful listener, and most important, a trusted confidant.
Upon hearing of her passing, Dorothy’s granddaughter, and namesake, Dorothy Milana, wrote:
“What an immense loss for our family! What a great gain for heaven! Such a phenomenal example of a woman who lived her life with grace, humility, faith, and selfless devotion to her family. She will truly be missed!
Dorothy was preceded in death by her oldest son Kelvern. She is survived by: her husband, Leo Edward Bayless; her children- Cynthia Bishop (Christopher), Laura Harvell, Nancy Piepenbring (James), and Bruce Bayless (Loretta); her daughter-in-law, Anne Bayless; grandchildren-Nathan Bayless, Linda Skeen, Scott Bishop (Amy), Jennifer Cornelius (Scott), Chad Bishop, Kelly Peel (Damon), Tracy White, Erich Piepenbring (Christina), Amy Piepenbring, Anna Piepenbring Jones, Leslie Donar (Adam), Dottie Milana (Chris), Joshua Bayless (Denise), Daniel Bayless; and 22 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 11:00am Thursday January 5th, 2016 at the Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road. A reception will be immediately following the service at the church. A Private family burial will take place in Corinth Cemetery. Donations in memory of Dorothy may be made to the Village Presbyterian Food Pantry. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.overlandparkchapel.com
Dorothy Mae Bell was born in Canton Ohio, April 24, 1923 to Earl William and Edna Mae Edwards Bell, and died December 29, 2016 in Prairie Village, Kansas
She shared a pleasant childhood with her older brother Vernon, and formed life-long friendships with a group of 8 other girls who called themselves Tialo. During high school, in Elyria, Ohio, they enjoyed chaperoned vacations at nearby Lake Erie, and dreamt of business careers in New York City.
While a student at Bowling Green State University, Dorothy met Leo Edward (Ed) Bayless. They were married August 31, 1944 in San Diego, California.
Dorothy graduated from Bowling Green State University with a B.S. in Business in 1945. She carried a load of over 20 hours her last semester, while pregnant with her first child. Her husband, Ed was serving in the Navy at that time.
Their first two children, Kelvern and Cindy were born in Elyria, Ohio, where Ed worked for his father-in-law at the Bell Company, a men’s clothing store. Dorothy’s asthma worsened to the point that the couple decided to move West, settling first in Denver, Colorado (where Laura was born), and then Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where Nancy and Bruce were born.
Dorothy loved Colorado! She taught Sunday school, played bridge, taught her neighbors to take and develop black and white photographs in her basement darkroom, and best of all made a lasting friendship with one of her neighbors.
In 1955, Ed was offered a sales position with the Caterpillar dealership in Kansas City, Missouri. Believing that a larger city would provide better opportunities for their children, they moved to the newly developed subdivision of Indian Fields, in Prairie Village, Kansas. There they joined the Village Presbyterian Church where they still hold membership. Dorothy sang in the church choir, was treasurer of the Women’s Circles, a Stephens Minister, Deacon, and Elder. Together Dorothy and Ed formed wonderful friendships with their church family. Most Saturday nights were spent in one another’s homes playing in various bridge clubs.
Dorothy was one of the original members of PEO Chapter GZ of Kansas, formed in 1964. She enjoyed many years of fellowship with this group of wonderful women.
In the 1960’s, Dorothy joined Ed in playing golf at Milburn Golf and Country Club. They enjoyed many golf trips with friends from Milburn- to Las Vegas, Hawaii, and San Diego. For over 20 years they traveled to San Diego during the winter months to play golf.
One of Dorothy’s favorite experiences was a trip to Europe with a close friend. They visited Italy, England and Ireland enjoying local hospitality, art museums and churches along the way.
Dorothy and Ed enjoyed close friendships with several neighborhood families. Together they celebrated holidays, and special events. Dorothy was a steadfast and loyal mother, wife and friend. She was respected by those who knew her as a wise, intelligent, kind, and compassionate woman. She was non-judgmental, accepting of others, a careful listener, and most important, a trusted confidant.
Upon hearing of her passing, Dorothy’s granddaughter, and namesake, Dorothy Milana, wrote:
“What an immense loss for our family! What a great gain for heaven! Such a phenomenal example of a woman who lived her life with grace, humility, faith, and selfless devotion to her family. She will truly be missed!
Dorothy was preceded in death by her oldest son Kelvern. She is survived by: her husband, Leo Edward Bayless; her children- Cynthia Bishop (Christopher), Laura Harvell, Nancy Piepenbring (James), and Bruce Bayless (Loretta); her daughter-in-law, Anne Bayless; grandchildren-Nathan Bayless, Linda Skeen, Scott Bishop (Amy), Jennifer Cornelius (Scott), Chad Bishop, Kelly Peel (Damon), Tracy White, Erich Piepenbring (Christina), Amy Piepenbring, Anna Piepenbring Jones, Leslie Donar (Adam), Dottie Milana (Chris), Joshua Bayless (Denise), Daniel Bayless; and 22 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 11:00am Thursday January 5th, 2016 at the Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road. A reception will be immediately following the service at the church. A Private family burial will take place in Corinth Cemetery. Donations in memory of Dorothy may be made to the Village Presbyterian Food Pantry. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.overlandparkchapel.com
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