THE ODESSA AMERICAN
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http://www.oaoa.com/obit/obits091403.htm


Novilene Bailey

ODESSA — Novilene Gwendolyn Forbus Bailey was born to Lee and Essie 
Forbus in Loraine, Texas, on July 17, 1928.

She and her family moved to Kermit when she was at the age of
 6 years old. She was a good student and made very good grades 
throughout her tenure at Kermit High School. She was the tennis 
champion of the school.

Novilene kept herself busy working at the drug store during school 
time. After graduation, she was offered the job of Texas and Pacific
 Railway assistant to the agent, because she was the fastest and
 most accurate typist to graduate.

After getting married by the Rev. Byron Bryant of the First Baptist
 Church in Kermit, Novilene and Keith were transferred to Big Spring 
where Keith worked for Texas Electric Service Co. as a troubleshooter,
 leaving the same job in Kermit. Novilene went to work for Champ 
Rainwater, the manager of Pioneer Gas Co.

Later, Keith went to work for the only glass company west of 
Abilene as the assistant manager of Western Glass and Mirror Co.

In 1950, Keith was offered the manager’s job in Hobbs, N.M.,
 and worked there until he was offered the managers job of 
Roswell Sash and Door Glass Co.
Novilene worked for Dr. McCloud Chiropractor in Roswell. While
 there, Dr. Orvile Turner was the minister at First Methodist Church.

Later, Keith took an absence from work to go to Niles, Mich.,
 and went to school at Harvard Business School. Upon returning,
 a short time was spent in Big Spring where they built a 
new house on Stadium Street They only lived there until Keith
 was transferred as 20 percent owner/manager in Plainview.
 They sold their home to Dr. Hunt, the president of Howard 
County College.
While in Plainview, Novilene worked for Kimbell Wholesale Grocery.
 They were active in the First Methodist Church as teachers and
 choir members. Keith was Scoutmaster, as well.

After four years, they moved to Odessa after being offered a
 new type of manager position in the glass business.
They built a complete new building and were the only full
line distributor of safety glass, because all of the cars
 were being equipped with curved parts and there were many.
 Novilene was hired by one of Keith’s partners in Lubbock.
 Keith told the partner he could not hire her as per the company
 policy, but Harrold said Keith could, so he did.

Novilene was the best in the entire organization and was used
 to train all of the new secretaries and office help. She would
 know the voice the second time she heard it. She would ship out
 as many as 200 windshields of the same number to St. Louis or 
Phoenix, Ariz.

After Keith moved to Odessa Glass and Mirror, he left Novilene 
at Adams Avenue Glass to continue like they started. Later, Bob Bailey
 came back from Houston and worked as salesman and manager until
 he went into his own business. After 33 years in the glass business,
 they sold out to their partners over a seven-year payout.

Novilene was a Boy Scout den mother, and later joined Keith in the
 Ambassadors of the Chamber of Commerce. They served there until 
Novilene went on kidney dialysis.

She has been a member of the Desk and Derrick Club, President of
 the Optimist Club and she was awarded the Glen Atkins award.

She has had Alzheimer’s for about 12 years, but it didn’t bother
 her much until May 2002. Novilene had been the secretary of the 
Builders class for several years.

Novilene has been a loving mother, friend and wife for over 58 years.
 We love her and know that she will be with Jesus and God, 
waiting for us.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Builders Class Members, the
 Odessa Optimist Club and the Ambassadors.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Lee and Essie Forbus;
 brother, Doyle Forbus; sister, Vada Pace; and her son, Mickey
 Stewart Bailey.
Survivors include her husband, Keith S. Bailey; son and wife,
 Bob and Debbie Bailey, all of Odessa; grandson, Gregory Keith
 Bailey of Denton; granddaughter, Kira B. Steadmon and husband,
 Aaron Steadmon; great-granddaughter, Nykayla Steadmon;
 daughter-in-law, Barbara Bailey, all of Odessa; nephew and 
wife, David and Geneva Pace of Andrews; several great-nephews,
 great-nieces, cousins and lots of friends.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, 2003, 
at the First United Methodist Church.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.