Mable Ruth Jones Bailey-Steen was born September 10, 1932 in Schulenburg, TX to the late Leon Henry Jones, Sr., and Dorothy Marian Alexander Jones. She was the second of four children: Ellevia Lee, Norma Jean (Deceased), and Leon H. Jones, Jr.
The family moved to San Antonio, TX while she was young. Mable was a very intelligent student and was considered by one of her teachers to become one of the first blacks to integrate the University of Texas at Austin, but the Lord had other plans for her life and she, instead, studied Education. at St. Philip's College and Texas Southern University. She matriculated at the San Antonio Theological! College and received her honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree.
After retiming to San Antonio, she started her formal career with the US Government, working at Randolph Air Force Base for 46 years before retiring in 2001.Mable married Leo Bailey, 1958 and remained a faithful wife to him until his death in January 1992. She later met and married Otis Steen and remained with him until his death in 2011. She accepted Jesus Christ and she was determined that all of her family would know the Lord. There, she witnessed to and prayed for others all the time. She always said. "This is what the Lord wants me to do. It's not just about the job."
Mable was a devoted member of Friendship Baptist Church, under Pastor Rev. R.L Arcliield, Sr. for over 30 years where she taught in the Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, and Vacation Bible School. she was a member of the choir and was known for her beautiful voice. She later joined Saint Philip’s Baptist Church, where she remained until her health failed and her transition home. Her whole life was a witnessed to God's greatness and mercy and she was not shy sharing others. Her motto "God First, Others, me." She never met a stranger, and shared the Gospel everywhere she went.
Mable was preceded in death by her father, mother, and sister Norma and she leaves to mourn her sister Ellevia (Winford) Smith, brother Leon, Jr. (Johnnie) Jones, brother-in-law Carlton D.Baker (Norma), her children: Kenneth (Cheryl) Jones, Leo (Martha) Bailey and Marian (Johnnie) Harris, one God-Son, Lawrence Randle, III, as well as six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Mable’s presence will be missed on this each, but we know she is happy with her Lord. We give thanks for the time she spent with us on this earth and look forward to seeing her again.
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