Mona Humphries Bailey, first Miss Florida A&M University, passes

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Florida A&M University alumna Mona Humphries Bailey passed on January 12, 2018.

“I lost my beloved sister today, Mona Humphries Bailey, former Miss FAMU and former President, Delta Sigma Theta,” said her brother, former FAMU President Frederick S. Humphries, in a post on his Facebook page. “I will miss her with all my heart.”

Beverly E. Smith, national president & CEO of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., released a statement that joined Bailey’s family in mourning.

“Our beloved Past National President transitioned peacefully early this morning after a long illness,” Smith wrote. “Please keep Soror Bailey’s family lifted in prayer.”

Bailey served as the first Miss Florida A&M University in 1953-1954. All the prior campus queens held the title Miss Florida A&M College. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1954.

After leaving FAMU, she went on to receive a master of science in science education from Oregon State University. Bailey was also a candidate for the doctoral program in Educational Leadership and Administration at the University of Washington.

In her more than 30 year career in public education, Bailey worked to promote equity and excellence for all students, especially for underachieving students. She served as a science teacher, counselor, principal, personnel administrator, assistant and deputy superintendent in Seattle Public Schools, and Assistant State Superintendent for the Washington state Office of Public Instruction. She was also an educational consultant, a volunteer with advocacy groups to reform education for K-12 students, and a member of several nonprofit boards of directors.

Bailey and her husband, William Peter Bailey, had two sons: Col. Peter Govan Bailey, United States Air Force and Christopher Evans Bailey, founder and CEO of the Seattle based company, Mindseekers; two grandsons, Tre and Taylor; and two granddaughters, Grace and Addysen.

Back in 2013, Bailey talked about her great love for FAMU in an issue of A&M Magazine.

“FAMU is a great institution of higher education. FAMUans everywhere should never forget that,” she said. “In its 125 years, the institution has made enormous contributions to the advancement of the United States and vast contributions to the advancement of black people.”

“I got my wings to fly out in the world from FAMU,” Bailey stated.

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