Katie Nell (Cooler) Bailey

Katie Nell Cooler Bailey, 96, of Okatie, South Carolina, passed away March 1, 2024. Born in Okatie on April 18, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Harry Benjamin Cooler, Sr., and Lila Zealy Cooler.

An avid student, she graduated from Ridgeland High School in 1944 as Salutatorian.

Nell was married to the love of her life, Thaddeus Matthew Bailey, Jr., for seventy-six years, until his death this past August. Together, they continued the family business, oyster and seafood production, which began with Thaddeus’ parents, Thad and Alma, in 1925.

Nell was raised in Euhaw Baptist Church in Grahamville. As a young Christian woman, she was a member of the Women’s Missionary Union and taught Bible Studies to the church’s youth. She and Thaddeus read the Bible through many times and shared their love of the Lord as devoted servants. Nell also served as Euhaw’s Clerk and Treasurer. Later in life, they continued their faithful service in Okatee Baptist Church.  

Nell enjoyed gardening, fishing, and was widely recognized as a wonderful cook. A Lowcountry native, she developed the ability to speak Gullah. This talent served her well in both business and story-telling to her grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Thaddeus Matthew Bailey III, aka Buddy (Stephanie) and Michael Craig Bailey (Heidi), grandchildren, Zealy Bailey, Katie Rountree (Ben), Thad Bailey (Jennifer), Erika Gainey (Justin), Joanna Bunton (Scott), Jessica Bailey, and Joseph Bailey (Grace), fourteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her infant son, four brothers, Harry Benjamin Cooler, Jr. (Mary), Edward Thomas Cooler (Lena), James Everett Cooler, Gerald Lawton Cooler, and five sisters, Ruby C. Blanchard (Earl), Leona C. Hall (George), Edith C. Bamberg (Greaton), and Margaret C. McLin (Ray).

Visitation will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024, 5:30-7:00 pm, at Sauls’ Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton, SC. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, March 3, 2024 at Ridgeland Cemetery,

Memorials may be made to Okatee Baptist Church, 5467 Okatie Hwy, Ridgeland, SC 29936, or Dementia Society of America, PO BOX 600, Doylestown, PA 18901

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