Funeral Mass for Rebecca “Becky” Audrey Bailey, age 87 of Cullman, will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Linus officiating; burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Sacred Heart Church, with Rosary prayer service following at 7:30 p.m.
Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.
Becky passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Hanceville Nursing Home. She was born September 18, 1938, to Winfred Ellsworth Collins and Belva Bernice Sorell Collins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kurmit “Bill” Bailey; daughter, Debbie Bailey Swearingen; sister, Linda Held; brothers-in-law, Gary LaMora, and Carly Rounds.
Survivors include her daughter, Lisa Bailey Bennett (Ken); son, Bill Bailey (Connie); grandchildren, Abigail Bennett, Gabrielle Bennett, Chelsey Gammon (Blake), Maggie Reyling (Aaron); great grandchildren, Fisher Gammon, Shepard Gammon, Tripp Reyling and Sawyer Reyling; sister, Retta Breyette (Bob), Mary LaMora, brother, Nate Collins and sister, Ann Rounds; son-in-law, Larry Swearingen; brother-in-law, John Held; and many nieces, nephew, great nieces and nephews.
Serving as pallbearers are Ken Bennett, Todd Bennett, Aaron Reyling, Blake Gammon, Fisher Gammon, and Kevin Thomas.
Becky’s family wishes to extend a very special thanks to Gentiva Hospice and specifically Ashley and Britainy, who were so caring and wonderful. Also, to Hanceville Nursing and Rehab for their care during this time.
In lieu of flowers, family asks that donations be made to Cullman Caring for Kids, St. Jude’s, American Veteran, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
A few things about Becky:
Becky married Staff Seargeant, Kurmit Bailey on August 4, 1962, in Lyon Mountain, New York. She moved around a lot because her husband was in the Air Force. (New York, Illinois, Michigan, Texas, and Germany) She was a kind person. She didn’t have a lot, but what she did have, she shared. She always gave to Cullman Caring for Kids, St. Jude’s, American Veterans, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. “God gave it to me so I could share”, she would always say.
She was always singing and dancing around the house. She made the best chili. She loved Elvis. She always sang his songs, and they were always playing in the house, especially at Christmas. She loved the tv show “Gunsmoke”, specifically Matt Dillon. She would say, “He’s so handsome” and “He’s an icon”. She taught us about cheap sweet treats. Take a slice of bread, add a little water, and put sugar on it (It was delicious). She was a people watcher. She loved to point out their clothing choices, sometimes a little too loud. We would have to say “Mom, they can hear you” (Lisa). Which her reply was, “No, they can’t.”
Childhood memories from Lisa:
“I have to say, as kids growing up, we never went hungry. We always had a big breakfast before we went to school and supper on the table when we got home. Our friends were always welcome at our house.”
Someone asked Becky once “Why are you always laughing?” She replied, “It’s better than crying.” She would take this as her life motto. She was always laughing or making a joke, and that legacy will carry on through us all.
