Barbara Jean Bailey Martin, the daughter of the late James Thomas Bailey and Irene Gill Bailey was born in Mocksville, North Carolina on Monday March 23, 1942. She calmly answered the Master's call from labor to reward on Sunday March 31, 2019 at Village Care of King in King, North Carolina. She was educated in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School System.

Barbara began her career at Hanes Hosiery in 1972 where she diligently worked for 16 years. Thereafter, she received a rewarding career opportunity at the Forsyth County Department of Social Services. After the decline of her health, Barbara made the decision to retire after 18 years of service. At the age of 22, she gave her heart to Christ. Barbara forever remained faithful to the Father. She had an untiring compassion for assisting others. In 1977, she was licensed as a Missionary by Bishop Gray of the Holiness Church of God. In 1979, Barbara became an Evangelist under the tutelage of Bishop Harold I. Williams of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church of America. She was ordained by Pastor Beverly Bailey Milligan of House of a Delivered Praise, Inc. in 2003. Ma Blakely was known for her unwavering faith in God. "If God-Willing…" And she meant [just] that… in and out of season. Once she made the decision to place a situation in God's hands, she never felt the need to address the issue again. She closed her prayers, "In Jesus name."

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Martin; her brothers, Lester Bailey, Thomas Bailey, Bobby Bailey, Sr.; and her sister Pauline Roane.

She is survived by her three daughters, Pastor Beverly Bailey Milligan (John) of Rural Hall, North Carolina, Barbie Neely (Arthur) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Michelle Blakely (Ernest) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; two sisters, Elder Doretha Reid of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Darlene Lucas Dyson (William) of St. Louis, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Mattie Bailey; seven grandchildren, Tanisha Bailey of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Nakiya White (Joel) of Whitsett, North Carolina, Michael Bailey of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Jemia Blakely of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Ernest Blakely of Greensboro, North Carolina, Arthur Neely Jr. of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Arkita Neely of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; 11 great grandchildren; one great great grandson; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at New Light Missionary Baptist Church.  Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Park, Rural Hall, NC.  The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12noon on Tuesday at the Church.