Margaret Louise Jackson Gladstone Bailey passed from this life to eternal glory with her lord and savior Jesus Christ, July 27th, 2019 at home. She was born in Walton to Percy and Annie (Wolf) Jackson December 14, 1920. She graduated from Delaware Literary Institute (Franklin Central School) in 1938. While there, she enjoyed playing basketball and was a member of a championship team. She married Kenneth Gladstone in 1940. She held a job at Kayser Silk Mill in Walton as a warper at the age of 19. She later worked at Scintilla in Sidney. She gave birth to twins Martin and Mertin (Mike and Butch) in 1941. She married Leland Bailey in 1963.

After the War when government work contracts reduced the work force at Scintilla, she worked at a Mercantile in Walton and bought the store and started The Family Shopping Center, which she owned and operated until 1987. Her store was known for its personal service. Frequent male customers were provided with sizes and tastes of their wives and all presents were wrapped. She carried special sizes and brands for her customers. Patrons were also greeted by her sisters Minnie and Ruth who were employed there.

She was an active business woman in Walton for many years. She was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and brought the first Christmas lights to Main Street. She was a Charter member of Walton Business and Professional Women and was the recipient of Woman of the year in 1987. Margaret was a current member of New York State Women Inc.­­­­­­­­ While she operated the Family Shopping Center she often made buying trips to NYC, navigating her way around the city and taking members of her family to enjoy the sights. She often recalls the trip where she took several girl scouts to New York. Margaret sold the store in 1987 and in the flood of 1996 it burned along with Western Auto next door. It was a heartbreaking time for her to see part of her life destroyed.

After retiring she spent many winters in Bradenton, Florida before retiring to Walton. She very much enjoyed delivering flowers for Chris' Flowers in her retirement years.

Mrs. Bailey was a long time member of the United Presbyterian Church in Walton, serving as an elder and a deacon and as an investor for the Special Gifts Committee.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Leland, her son Butch (Barb) Gladstone, Brothers: Percy, Ambrose (Dora), William, and Arthur Jackson, Sisters: Ruth (Walter) Kelsey, Minnie vanDemark, Brother in law: William J. Ward Jr., and Great Grandson Adam Hotchkiss. She is survived by her son Martin (Mike) and his wife Janice, Sister: Catharine Ward, Sisters in law: Janet Jackson and Lina Jackson. Grandchildren: Mark (Nancy) Dunlap, Michael (Robyne) Dunlap, Matthew (Carrie) Dunlap, Ward (Missy) Dunlap, Theodore (Pam) Gladstone, Victoria Smith and Renee (Dave) Hotchkiss. Great Grandchildren: Dean, Alex, Eric, Hope, and Nicholas Dunlap, Hannah (Ryan) Selter, Cassie (Eathan) Edwards, Sylvia Smith, Brandon and Phillip Gladstone, and Dylan Sobey. Six great, great grandchildren Matthew, Joshua and Rayne Dunlap, Kyra Gladstone, Jackson Selter, Romona Garrison and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours to which relatives and friends are invited to attend will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2019 from 10-12 P.M. at the United Presbyterian Church (The Red Brick) on the corner of East and North Streets in Walton. A Celebration of life service will follow at Noon. A luncheon will be held at the church following the graveside committal service. Burial will be in Walton Cemetery between Forsythia and Spruce Lanes.

Memorial donations in Margaret's memory may be made to The United Presbyterian Women's Group, 58 East Street, Walton, NY 13856.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Courtney Funeral Home, Walton. To leave a message of hope and sympathy for Margaret's family, please visit www.courtneyfh.com