Jackie T. Bayless

Jackie Thelma Genevieve Bayless, 91, Wakarusa, passed away on Sunday, October 6 at Auburn Homestead.

Jackie was born on April 25, 1922 in Smithville, OK to Wilburn and Sophrona Burke. She married John Clayton Powers in 1940. They were later divorced. She married Cecil Bayless in 1949. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil, daughters Cindy L. Reece and Judith K. Hay; a granddaughter, Jackie D. Hay; a grandson, Joshua M. Powers; and a sister, Marian Kentzler.

Mrs. Bayless worked at Morell's in Topeka and later worked on the family dairy farm near Wakarusa. She worked as a cook at Washburn Rural High School until her retirement. She was a member of the Wakarusa Presbyterian Church, where she was an elder. She loved and enjoyed her children and grandchildren, and loved antiques and crafts. She was a past member of the Pleasant Valley Club in the Wakarusa area and the Eastern Star chapter of Wakarusa. She is survived by son, R. Terry (Kathy) Powers, Mapleton, Utah; daughter Marilyn Kampsen, Topeka; and son Mark (Gayle) Bayless, Wakarusa; sisters, Ollie Kutina, Wynona Martin and Patty Thompson, all of California; eighteen grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; and twelve great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the Wakarusa Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Bayless will be laid to rest at the Shawnee Center Cemetery. Mrs. Bayless will lie in state at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road after 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday and visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Wakarusa Presbyterian Church, 10135 S Jordan Rd., Wakarusa, KS 66546.