Susan Greig Alexander

Susan was born in Munich, Germany. She came to this country with her parents, Charlotte Greig (Bernt) and Lawrence Greig, fleeing Nazi persecution. She graduated from Syracuse University where she majored in Journalism and Sociology and met Herb Bailey. After marrying upon graduation, they moved to Fernandina Beach where they raised three children: daughter Pat Bailey Almond, daughter Christine Bailey Hendrix, and son Mark Bailey. Susan lived on the island for 71 years, and her memories of life on the island have been memorialized in the oral histories at the Amelia Island Museum of History. While she cherished the island’s past, she was always excited for its future.

Susan was smart and original, with a great sense of humor. In a time when there were few opportunities for women, while raising her family she worked as a freelance reporter for the Jacksonville Times Union, Channel 4 News, the Fernandina Beach News Leader, Callahan Nassau Record and hosted a weekly radio talk show on the then local radio station, WFBF. She loved good writing and a good book, and bridge with her friends. She founded one of the original women’s consignment shops on the island, Emmaline’s Attic, which she ran for many years, all while being a great mother.

Susan deeply loved her country and her faith. She was fiercely devoted to the American principles of individual freedom and privacy and dedicated to progressive causes. She marched to a different drummer, chose her own path and worked in support of her principles: most recently volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, assisting with the annual Nassau County homeless count, regularly volunteering with bingo games at Quality Health of Fernandina Beach Nursing Home, inter-faith meals and the Nassau County Democratic Party.

Her family came first. She is survived by her children: Pat Bailey Almond, Christine Bailey Hendrix (Michael); and Mark Bailey (Jennifer); her grandchildren: Jason Gregory (Jennifer), Christopher Almond (Lauren), John Hendrix, Cameron Hendrix Bloom (Robert), Aidan Bailey, and Avery Bailey (Jonathan Weiner); and her great grandchildren: Jack Gregory, Ben Gregory, Leona Bloom, and Harlie Almond. She is predeceased by her parents and step-father, Paul Bernt.

We were all blessed to enjoy the gift of her love for so many years. She is in heaven, probably silently correcting our grammar. In lieu of flowers, like Sue, anonymously pay-off someone’s lay-away purchases at a local store, or please consider a random act of kindness for others. Memorial gifts may support her causes: the Friends of the Library, Nassau Habitat for Humanity, or the Nassau County Democratic Party. A memorial service will be planned at a future date. Please visit NeptuneSociety.com if you would like to share a memory.