Venetta L. Bayless

Venetta L. Bayless

Venetta Loree (Henery) Bayless, age 86, of Lebo, KS, passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2011.

Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011, at Westminister Presbyterian Church of Topeka.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011, at Westminister Presbyterian Church of Topeka.

Burial will be in Lebo, KS.

Jones-VanArsdale of Lebo, KS, is in charge of the arrangements.

Venetta was born on Jan. 10, 1925, to Glenn and Annie Roy Henery in Lebo, KS. She graduated from Emporia High School and achieved her bachelor's and master's degrees in art education from Emporia State. Throughout her life, she shared her passion for art with all who knew her.

She taught in the Topeka Public School system for 38 years starting as a grade school teacher, later a substitute teacher and ended her career as the head of art department of Highland park High School until her retirement in 1985.

Venetta married Marvin Luke Bayless on May 24, 1947, in Emporia, KS. He preceded her in death in 1993.

She is survived include her three children, Marcus Bayless of Topeka, KS, Marlys Arnold and her husband Stan of Reston, VA, and Marisa Hoke and her husband John of O'Neill; three grandchildren, Maris Hoke, Mariel Kloppenborg and her husband Zach and T.J. Hoke, all of O'Neill; one sister, Veota Arens of Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Good Samaritan Society of Atkinson.