Virginia Ann Ludwig Bailey, 91, of Glen Carbon, Illinois, passed away on March 28, 2026, at St. Louis University Hospital. Virginia (or Ginny as she was affectionately known) was born in Troy, Illinois on February 16, 1935, to Albert M. and Irma (nee Ottwein) Ludwig. Although she was an only child, she had many Ottwein and Ludwig cousins that were like siblings to her.

Her parents moved the family to Chicago for a few years, before moving to Missouri. She graduated from Jefferson City, MO Junior-Senior High School, where she found two enduring loves: her husband Jim, and the theater. Acting and helping in high school productions encouraged her to develop from, as she described, “a painfully shy, skinny kid” to the friendly, fun-loving, outgoing person she truly was. She went on to major in Speech Science at William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri, graduating with an Associates Degree in 1955.

Ginny married Jim Bailey on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1955 in Jefferson City, Missouri.  Over the years, they moved many times for Jim’s career in the computer industry, ending up in Omaha, Nebraska, Littleton, Colorado, and Ayer, Massachusetts, before returning to Jefferson City and finally in their retirement years, to Troy and Glen Carbon. Ginny took on some interesting jobs herself over the years, working in a bookstore, a service station, as a high school baker (to keep an eye on her teenagers), and in two art galleries. The latter experiences found her not only expertly framing other people’s art work, but it encouraged her to develop her own considerable talents, in watercolor, oil painting and pottery. She bought and ran Cottonstone Art Gallery, originally across from the Governor’s Mansion, in Jefferson City for several years.

She became enthusiastically involved with The Little Theater in Jeff City, no matter what the task required: stagecraft and design, set construction, an occasional character role, selling tickets, or simply being a supporting member of the TLT family. Ginny was a long-time member of Friedens United Church of Christ, serving over the years on the church board, the Women’s Guild, and other committees. Ginny was also a quilter, participating in many quilting bees over the years with her Friedens’ friends for the benefit of the church. Given that she grew up watching her mother, grandmother, aunts and cousins hand-make quilts, it was not surprising that she took up the needle herself when she returned to Troy. On her own quilts, she embraced more vibrant colors and modern techniques.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James C. Bailey in August of 2024. Surviving are her two children, Cindy (Stan) Saxl of Monument, Colorado, and James (Karen Scott) Bailey of Greenfield, Massachusetts. She is survived by six grandchildren: River, Calvin, Forest and Summer Scott, Emily Eden and Dean Brennan; and three great-grandchildren: Aurora, Anastasia and Ares Harrison, as well as many cousins and dear friends.

Memorials may be made to the Triad High School Theatrical Department, or Friedens UCC Cemetery. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.Richesonfh.com.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 am on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Friedens United Church of Christ, Troy, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Friedens United Church of Christ, Troy, Illinois, with Rev. Tim Harrison officiating. Interment will be in Friedens Cemetery, Troy, Illinois.