Nancy Ruth Hughes Bailey, age 85, of Boaz, Alabama, passed away on December 4, 2025 at Diversicare of Boaz. She was born on March 17, 1942 to the late Peyton Woodward and Ruth Prather Hughes.
Nancy was a woman of talent, creativity, and heart. In her youth she enjoyed dancing and the fine arts. She performed in the band at Meridian High School in Meridian Mississippi, playing the French horn, and also served as a majorette. During high school she served as Vice President of the Anchor Club, Secretary of the Christian Fellowship Club, and Secretary of the National Honor Society. She Later Graduated Appalachian State University in North Carolina where she obtained a Bachelors in fine arts.
Throughout her life she continued to embrace adventure and creativity. She enjoyed hiking, canoeing, and making baskets. Nancy spent much of her time gardening and creating beautiful quilts. She was an avid painter, gifted in many forms of art, and it was said she did everything with heart and love. She truly excelled in all that she did.
She is survived by her daughters, Lady (Jeffery) Ihrig, Leslee (Rick) Harding, and Len (Thomas) Mahan; six loving grandchildren, many step-grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren; sister, Cecelia Houser; and special friend, Michael Mitchell.
She was preceded in death by her parents; late husbands, Brooks Collum and Elmer Eugene Bailey; and her brother, Albert Hughes.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Guntersville Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for their care and support.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Adams Brown Service Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel. She will be laid to rest at Hilltop Church of God Cemetery.
