Mary Kay Lifer

Mary Kay Lifer, daughter of Elvie Bailey and Gertie Lacey Bailey, was born December 10, 1939 at Little Rock, Arkansas and died June 14, 2009 in Perry, Iowa, at the age of 69 years, 6 months, and 4 days. Mary grew up in San Joaquin Valley, California, the Visalia area. She married Don Little and they were parents of one son Jerry. Mary always worked hard and was proud of her work in the fields of California. After 10 years of marriage she was divorced. She and Jerry moved to Santa Barbara where she continued to work hard, nights in a factory and days as a maid to support Jerry and herself. Mary attended "Truck Master" school and drove truck cross country. Where she met Bill Lifer. They were married in 1981. They were later divorced, but she has always been mother to William Lifer JR. and friends with Bill. Mary moved to Perry in 1997. She enjoyed BINGO, junk store shopping, going to casinos, traveling, camping, fishing , playing solitaire on her computer, and her friends. Mary was a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Perry and was always very patriotic. Mary was always generous with others and enjoyed being a caregiver. She raised miniature, "tea cup", Chihuahua dogs and miniature horses. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Ray Bailey and James "JueBabe" Bailey, and sister Lela Fagen. Mary Kay is survived by her son Jerry Little, step-son William Lifer Jr., all of Perry, Iowa and step-daughter Billie Jo Gamble of California; friend and ex husband Bill Lifer of Perry, Iowa; grandchildren Jacob Litfle of Perry and Joshua Little of California; great granddaughter Haven Little of California ; sisters Daisy Grimsley of California; Lettie Fitzgerald of Oklahoma; brother Marion Bailey of California; nieces and nephews including Becca Flores and Renee Jones of Perry and Gina Osborn of Exeter, California and nephew Larry Bailey of California; and her guardian dog Charlie other relatives friends