Funeral Services Celebrating the Life of Mrs. Thelma Bernice Coffman Dailey, age 81, of the Baptist Ridge Community in Overton County, will be held at 12 noon on Monday, July 14, 2025, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the New Hope Cemetery.

The family will welcome friends on Sunday evening from 4:00 until 9:00 p.m., and again on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Mrs. Dailey passed peacefully from the comforts of her home on Sunday afternoon, July 6, 2025, where she was received into her Savior’s arms. She was born in Gainesboro, Tennessee, on April 14, 1944, to the late Lester B. Coffman and Ruby Jewel Johnson Coffman.

A 1962 graduate of Robichaud High School in Inkster Michigan, Thelma went on to earn an associate’s degree and later studied psychology at Tennessee Technological University. She accepted Christ at the young age of 10 and lived as a devoted Christian for over 70 years. Throughout her life, Thelma faithfully served as church secretary, women’s Bible study teacher, and was known as a prayer warrior whose faith uplifted all who knew her.

She married her one true love, Dr. William Howard Dailey—known lovingly as Howard—and together they built a lifetime of cherished memories during their 64 years of marriage, until his passing in April of this year.

Thelma and Howard were true partners in both business and ministry. They owned and operated several health food stores throughout Tennessee and shared a calling to serve the Lord. Together, they founded Swallows Chapel Full Gospel Church, where they nurtured a strong and faithful community. Thelma traveled across the country speaking at women’s gospel meetings and ministering at Women’s Aglow meetings, always leading with wisdom, grace, and the Word of God.

A woman of tremendous strength and character, Thelma was the proud matriarch of her large and loving family. She was an avid reader, a woman of intelligence and deep thought, and she was always remembered as the best-dressed person in the room, no matter the occasion.

She leaves behind Her daughter: Tina Dailey Ayers, and Tina’s husband, Mike Ayers

Her sons: Bruce Dailey, and Bruce’s wife, Patty Kelly Dailey, Lonnie Dailey

Her beloved grandchildren: Mandy Ayers White, and her husband, Casey White, Brandon Ayers, and his wife, Amy Ayers, Jessica Stephens, and her husband, Brandon Stephens, Josh Dailey, and his wife, Jennifer Dailey, Jessica Griggs, and her husband, Wesley Griggs, Harley Bennett, and her husband, Dustin Bennett, William Dailey, and his wife, Kayla Dailey, Cody Dailey, Stephanie Faith Natvik, TJ Boles, Christy Dailey

Her great-grandchildren: Emma Ayers Peterson, and her husband, Blake Peterson, Corey White, Ashton Ayers, Maddison Ellis, Makennah Ellis, Callie Jo Bilbrey, Conner Bilbrey, Caitlyn Bilbrey, Ashton Napier, Blaiden Dailey, Lexi Roberts, Cody Roberts, Annistyn James Griggs, Mia Griggs, Kyler Ashton Locke, Grayson Kai, Jasper Gentry, Delilah Bennett, Ivy Bennett, Hailey Dailey, Bella Dailey, Logan Dailey, Maya Faith, Willow Hope, Mollee Dailey, Jazmin Dailey, Samuel Dailey, Asiana Dailey, Miracle Dailey

Her great-great-grandchild: Selah Jhene

She is also survived by her siblings: Annette Cassett, and Annette’s husband, Bob Cassett, Kenneth Coffman, and Kenneth’s wife, Gladys Coffman

In addition to her parents, Thelma was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. William Howard “Howard” Dailey, and her siblings: Geneva Coffman, Ray Coffman, James Coffman, Baby Boy Coffman

Pallbearers serving are:
Blake Peterson, Corey White, Ashton Ayers, Logan Dailey, Conner Bilbrey, Brandon Stephens, William Dailey, and Cody Dailey.

Honorary Pallbearers are:
Brandon Ayers and Casey White.