With deep sorrow we announce the unexpected passing of our Bailey Rose. Though her time here was short by the world's standards, God's plan was to call her home at the sweet young age of 26. Her life was beautifully shaped by family, friends, and her relationship with God, marked by purpose, grace, and a love that left a lasting imprint on every life she touched.  Bailey was an "Illuminator." She had the ability to see people deeply and make them feel seen, valued, and understood. The light of her life shone in the darkest of moments, bringing hope, blessings and love to her family, friends, co-workers, patients and their families.  Most importantly, she believed all people mattered and strived always to see them the way Jesus saw them.

Bailey Rose's life was rich with meaningful experiences. She loved the outdoors, especially hiking, a passion that began early as the only girl on multi-day backpacking trips with her family down the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon and the Outer Mountain Loop in Big Bend. What started as family adventures grew into a lifelong love that never faded. As she grew older, Bailey continued exploring the world on foot with both family and friends, hiking in places as breathtaking and varied as Oahu, Hawaii, Cinque Terre, Italy, the Grand Teton and Rocky Mountain National Parks, Guadalupe Peak, and the Blue Ridge Mountains near Ashville, North Carolina. Her favorite hike remained the Zirkle Circle in the Zirkle Wilderness outside of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, a hike she completed with her dad.

Some of her happiest memories as a young girl were made laughing and dancing alongside her friends, turning ordinary moments into something unforgettable. With her Apple iBook open and music turned up, she and her friends would spend hours choreographing and recording dance videos and skits, full of energy, laughter, and just the right amount of silliness. Those moments captured her spirit perfectly, creating memories with the people she loved most.

Bailey carried this same joy as she developed a love for live music and the joy it brought being surrounded by friends. Whether it was a sold-out concert with Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Zach Bryan or the Band Camino, a small gathering, or just music playing in the background, she found "her rhythm" and danced through every moment. As an avid reader, Bailey was both endlessly curious and wonderfully imaginative. She was rarely without a book, loved sharing them with others, and often counted down the days for the next release in a series, savoring every page once it was finally in her hands.

Bailey grew up in Oakwood Church and was baptized at the age of seven.  Her faith was a pillar of her life from a young age and grew stronger as she matured. Her love for the Lord and people was foundational to whom she was as a person. Above all, Bailey loved deeply and lived faithfully. This was reflected best by the many posts, tributes and messages received from friends and colleagues.

A true-blue Unicorn, Bailey attended school in New Braunfels, starting kindergarten at Lamar Elementary and graduating from New Braunfels High School in 2018.  She played volleyball and could be found on the sidelines cheering on the Unicorn football team as a Unicorn Handler. She was honored to serve as an ambassador for New Braunfels Youth Leadership, was a member of the National Honor Society, and was later presented as a Mid-Texas Symphony debutante, milestones that reflected both her character and the way she carried herself with grace and dignity.

Bailey found happiness in life's simple pleasures: a great cup of coffee, a morning run, or a hot yoga class, even after three straight night shifts at the hospital. Her mother instilled in her a deep fondness for meaningful traditions, especially Christmas Eve and Valentine's Day celebrations with friends and family. She understood the value of gathering around the table and creating conversations and spaces that felt inviting and full of love.

Bailey treasured her friendships dearly. From an early age, Bailey built friendships that were strong and enduring. Whether it was her childhood friends in New Braunfels, college friends at ACU, STICU family in Dallas and PICU family in Charlotte, she built strong bonds rooted in loyalty and love. These friendships were a constant and joyful part of her life.

Bailey knew from early high school she wanted to be involved in the medical field. This calling to the nursing profession was reinforced during a high school mission trip to Uganda, Africa. It was there, amidst the experiences of serving others, that her heart for caring and helping those in need grew stronger. Bailey strived to be the "hands and feet of Jesus" and often prayed and journaled this prayer.

After high school graduation, Bailey went on to study nursing at Abilene Christian University, where she loved midnight worship, Monks Coffee and country western dancing at Cadillacs and Guitars. Her program peers at the ACU School of Nursing lovingly named her the "Best Shoulder to Cry On", a perfect reflection of her nurturing and selfless nature. Upon graduating with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, she started her nursing career in the Surgical Trauma ICU at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and most recently the Pediatric ICU at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bailey's "legacy" was best summarized as one who "embodies what it means to care for others. She was passionate about nursing, dedicated to her patients, and committed to being a servant leader. She didn't just do the work—she felt it, and she carried that compassion into every interaction. Bailey made a difference. In her patients' lives, in the lives of their families, and in each of us who had the privilege of working alongside her."

Though we mourn her loss, we do not grieve like those without hope. We hold onto the truth that she fulfilled God's purpose while here on this earth and now is with her Lord and Savior in Heaven. Her light, her love, and her legacy live on in each of us.

Bailey is lovingly remembered by her parents, Drake and Tera Thompson of New Braunfels, her brothers Jake (Serene) Lowry of Coolidge, Garrett Thompson of New Braunfels, and nieces, Stella and Alyvia. She was a cherished granddaughter to Marie Thompson, Ken and Dianne Dennis, and Terry and Gwen Reed. Bailey's life was also richly woven with the love of her numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, all of whom will carry her memory forward.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Pat Thompson, Pepaw, who now welcomes her with open arms.

Services will be held at Oakwood Church on April 17, 2026 at 1:00 pm with a reception immediately following at L&L Walhalla Event Venue. Donations may be made in Bailey's name to Oakwood Church to support mission scholarships or the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic.

To view the services, please follow the link below.

https://link.edgepilot.com/s/11b15405/cNaVJFtTaE2S2TIAWb2bqQ?u=https://www.youtube.com/oakwoodnb