Alta Barbara (Bailey) Pinkley, 91, of Festus died Feb. 27, 2025, at Scenic Nursing Memory Care in Herculaneum. Mrs. Pinkley was the secretary for the Second Baptist Church in Festus and was a member there since 1959. She married her high school sweetheart, Earnest, at 18 years old in Wichita Falls, Texas, where Earnest was stationed in the Air Force. She wrote and composed the alma mater of Twin City Christian Academy. After her retirement, she was involved with Living Springs Camp in Festus – choosing the name, motto, Bible verse and song, as well as working in the kitchen, where she especially enjoyed making desserts for the campers. She and her husband enjoyed 20 post-retirement winters in Fort Myers, Fla., where they made many friends. Born June 13, 1933, in Danby, she was the daughter of the late Rhoda Frances (Akins) and Sterling Bailey.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years: Earnest Pinkley
She is survived by a daughter: Donna (Wayne) Perry of Pevely; a son: Brian (Karen) Pinkley of Pevely; two grandsons: Mark Perry of Pevely and Jacob Pinkley of Imperial; and a great-granddaughter: Karly Pinkley of Imperial.
She also was preceded in death by a brother: Alfred (Jeannie) Bailey; and a sister: Sarah (Harold) Smith.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at Second Baptist Church, 723 Horine Road, in Festus. Visitation will resume at noon until services at 1 p.m. Friday, March 7, at the church, officiated by the Rev. James King. Burial will follow in the Lebanon Baptist Cemetery in Bloomsdale. Memorials may be made to Living Springs Camp, P.O. Box 88, Festus, 63028. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.