Frances Carpenter Bailey's Obituary
Frances Carpenter Bailey, 82, of Fairfield, California died on March 31, 2026, after a period of declining health.
Fran was born in Cumberland, North Carolina, on July 18, 1943, to parents Lyndall Rose Love Carpenter and Burns Craig Carpenter. Her mother died when she was nine years old, and with her brothers Larry and Greg Carpenter, she went to live with her maternal grandparents Hugh and Ollie Love. She went to school in Stanfield and then trained and practiced as a beautician for several years. She married James Kennedy in 1962 and initially lived in Locust, later moving to Charlotte. They had two sons, Ashley York Kennedy and Byron Delane Kennedy. They divorced in 1981. She worked for many years at Consolidated Engravers, a textile engraving firm in Charlotte, where she eventually ran the art department, which she loved. After her divorce, she met Douglas Bailey, whom she married in 1996. They lived together in Charlotte and then moved to Fairfield, California in 2013 for Doug’s work and to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, art, movies, music, animals (especially cats), and celebrating good times with her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Larry, and survived by her beloved husband Doug, her sons York and Byron and their wives Susie Falk and Sung Makawatsakul, and her grandchildren Pippa, Zoe, Tristan, and Ainsley Kennedy.
A graveside service will be held at Love’s Chapel Cemetery on Saturday, April 11 at 11am. Donations can be made to Love’s Chapel Methodist Church.
What’s your fondest memory of Frances?
What’s a lesson you learned from Frances?
Share a story where Frances' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Frances you’ll never forget.
How did Frances make you smile?
