Leona Lawter Bailey, age 78, of Polk County Line Rd., Rutherfordton, died Wednesday at Hospice House after a long battle with stomach cancer.

She was a native of Polk County and a retired seamstress for Ruth Originals and Absorba. Leona was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Polk County and an avid quilter.

Preceding her in death are her loving husband of 48 years, George Bailey, and parents, Grady and Zira Haynes Lawter.

Surviving include a brother, Charles Lawter of Landrum, S.C.; sisters Frances Hyder of Hendersonville and Katie Ruff of Bat Cave, N.C., 21 nieces and nephews, 31 great nieces and nephews and 30 great great nieces and nephews.

Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Polk County, with Rev. Derell Pruette officiating. Burial will follow in Coopers Gap Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County P.O. Box 336 Forest City, N.C. 28043.

Crowes Mortuary is assisting the Bailey family.

www.crowemortuary.com