Ms. Margie Ree Chance Bailey

Margie Ree Chance Bailey was born on August 4, 1942 in Pitt County, NC to Benjamin and Carrie Chance, the 4th of seven children and the 1st surviving baby girl added to the family. She was born and raised on Sandy Ridge Rd in Robersonville, NC, and ultimately returned there after retirement, where she lived until her death. Strong-willed but responsible, Margie was the obedient child who followed the rules. As the oldest girl, she learned and accepted the responsibility of being a role model, caregiver and reliable support to all around her. She learned from her mother Carrie, to be a loving helper, kindhearted and dependable—the true qualities of a trusted servant. In her early days, she wasn’t the cook, but she would help with the prep work and do the clean-up; she was a stickler for being neat and clean! And when her siblings had to work the fields on the farm, while she was responsible for attending to her baby brother, she was happy to offer her siblings a glass of cold water—thank you “Ms. White lady”! Clearly one of the brightest children in her class, Margie graduated in 1960 from Bethel Union High School at the top of her class with academic honors. Not only was she gifted academically, she was also gifted on the basketball court. Everyone could attest to her love of basketball. As a guard, she was a fearless defender—“no one could take the ball away from me!” She continued to enjoy basketball throughout her adult life. As a mother, she rarely missed one of her son Mike’s high school basketball games, proudly and loudly cheering on Mike and his teammates. And thru to the end, watching the WNBA was one of her favorite pass times. Within days of graduating from Bethel Union, Margie caught a bus and headed north to NY to let loose in the Big City! Margie Ree Chance had arrived! She initially stayed with family until she was able to secure a job and a place to live. After awhile, she and her brother Marvin found an apartment for their young families on Bushwick Ave in Brooklyn, until both eventually settled in Hillside, NJ. Always about her business, Margie finally secured a job with Ma Bell aka New York Telephone Company, as an operator then on to various customer support roles until she retired in 1998 after 31 years of service. During her reign in NY, she met many but only one captured her heart—Loyd “Big Bear” Bailey Sr. Her only child, Michael Bailey Sr, was born from their union. While Loyd Bailey was in her life, he generously gave to her and her family and adorned her as the Queen she was, but he couldn’t contain the feisty and vibrant lady who didn’t take any mess! After they divorced, no moss grew on her feet and Margie eventually connected with her longtime companion James “Russell” Roberts until his death in 2021. After her retirement in 98, she moved back to Robersonville, renovated the family home and jumped headfirst into her beloved Greenville community where she was an active and valuable member / servant to her church, family and friends. Whether as head of the kitchen committee at her beloved St Mary’s church, treasurer of the Bethel Union reunion committee, or the secretary of the Chance family reunion committee, you could always depend on Margie to do her part correctly, thoroughly and on time! She touched and was loved by so many; she was loving, giving, kindhearted, vibrant, funny, fashionable, classy, sassy, straightforward and firm—you never had to guess what she was thinking because she would tell you directly to your face! Margie lived a full life and will be greatly missed! Margie departed this earthly world on August 6, 2026 after a two-year journey with Alzheimer’s dementia. She is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Carrie Chance; her siblings, Pauline, and Marvin Chance. Margie leaves to cherish her memory: son, Michael Bailey Sr and daughter-in-law Karen O’Neal-Bailey; grandchildren, Michael Bailey, Jr and Lenaye Bailey; siblings, Benjamin Chance (Peggy), Peggy Joyce Howard, Linwood Chance (Nell) and Eddie Chance (Faye), in addition to a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. But even in her final days with slipping memories, she still was kind, funny, and happiest around her family and friends. We look forward to the day when we will all meet again!

Ms. Margie Ree Chance Bailey

August 4, 1942 - August 6, 2026