Josephine L. Bay was born November 25, 1918, near Attica, Kansas. She grew up with her mother, Anna Elizabeth Selm and her sister, Valeria, and her grandfather on his farm. She attended school at Attica, graduating from Attica High School with the Class of 1936.

Following her formal education, Josephine worked for Dr. Galloway at the Galloway Hospital as his nurse and lab tech. She then moved to Stafford, KS to work for a doctor there. This doctor became her advisor and mentor. Jo's mother and sister moved to Stafford with her. During the time in Stafford, both her mother and sister, passed away, so Jo was very alone. She retired from the medical field and returned to Harper County. She moved into the apartment on N. Kansas in Anthony, as the first resident in the new apartment building.

Jo was able to travel abroad several times with her great friend, Lorraine Schmidt. One of the highlights of these trips was being able to be baptized while in Israel. Her apartment was decorated with pictures of the many places that she visited with her friend.

Jo went to work at M'Ladies Dress Shop where she could still assist people on a regular basis. Those who worked with her enjoyed her fun, good humor. Jo loved the clothes and pretties as well as the customers. When M'Ladies closed, Jo went to work across the street at Country at Heart on a part time basis.

As her health began to fail, Jo moved to Country Living where she made many friends, worried about her health and shared her faith and love for Jesus. She was a regular at Thursday Bible studies. She tried not to miss any service on Sunday afternoon, no matter which church was visiting. She especially treasured the communion regularly delivered by the Christian Church members.

Jo was a very private person except where her faith was concerned. She was a member of the Revolution Fellowship Church in Anthony. She listened daily to the old hymns on the radio and read the Bible through several times, trying to complete the reading at least once a year. Her favorite verse to quote was Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.

On January 1, 2018, Josephine passed away at Hospital District #6 Anthony Campus at the age of 99 years, 1 month and 6 days. She was also preceded in death by her father, Leonard Joseph Bay.

Jo will be deeply missed by her many cousins including: Lois Crow, Linda Drake and Jean Angell; her friend and caretaker, Bryan Patterson and wife, Lauri; and her Revolution Fellowship Church and Country Living families.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Friday, January 5, 2018 at the Revolution Fellowship Church in Anthony. Burial will follow in the Attica Cemetery.

Visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony.

Memorials in memory of Josephine may be made to the Revolution Fellowship Church and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003, is in charge of arrangements.