Maebelle L. Bailey

March 30, 1948 - November 22, 2016

Maebelle (“Mibi”) Lester Bailey (March 30, 1948 -November 22, 2016) died peacefully at Lee Memorial Hospital, Cape Coral, Florida of a stroke.

Mibi, as she has been affectionately known all her life, was fortunate enough to have been married to her best friend, Steven Lloyd Bailey, who passed in 2011. They met in Birmingham, AL where they both lived at the time. Mibi was an elementary school teacher and Steve a principal, different schools, which enabled them to have the summer months to travel. For many years Steve and Mibi would pack up during the summer and go to Bokeelia, Florida where they had purchased an “island” home and then return to Birmingham until the summer rolled around again. Ultimately though she and Steve chose to take an early retirement in order to live full-time in Bokeelia.

Although Mibi and Steve never had children she was a “mom” to her beloved yellow-naped Amazon parrot named Abaco. Between Abaco and keeping in touch with former students and their parents, Mibi lived a full life … boating over the beautiful Gulf waters, shelling (and making beautiful mirrors bordered with her prized shell collections), family reunions with the Morgan, Armstrong and Lester families in Boca Grande, Florida and entertaining her many friends and neighbors in her beautifully decorated island home in Bokeelia.

She was also a devoted aunt to her nieces Susan Lester of Franklin, North Carolina and Olivia Lester of Mobile Alabama, and her nephew, Beau Lester, Orlando, Florida. All are the children of Mibi’s surviving brother, Belford S. Lester III (Bucky) of Amelia, Island, Florida. Mibi was planning a move to Amelia Island, FL. but was unable to sell her Bokeelia home in time.

Mibi will be remembered as devoted, loving and giving sister, family member and friend. She will be particularly missed during the Christmas holidays which was a time of the year she especially loved. Each year, wherever she was, she transformed her home into a beautiful Christmas fairy-land.

Mibi had a quick smile yet she could be quite spicy at times, a trait that caused all of us who knew her to share a few smiles over the years.

A small, very close friend and family celebration will be held.

Donations and flowers are not requested, but if desired, please donate to a reputable stroke research organization.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

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