Salome Jones (nee Montgomery) was the fourth of seven children born to T.G. and Lucy Montgomery. She was named after her aunt and paternal grandmother. As a child, she was referred to as baby Salome, then Bay Salome and then Bay. As the fourth and middle child, not quite old enough to play with her elder siblings and with her younger siblings not arriving for a decade, she learned to entertain herself. She was inquisitive, creative and enterprising. She loved dolls and stuffed animals, and also appreciated the beauty of rare antiques from an early age.

 

Bay and husband Harry had six children during their lives together. Along with Harry working at a local automobile factory, they owned several businesses of which Bay served as COO and manager, along with caring for her family. She loved buying unique dolls for her two daughters hoping they would treasure them as she did as a little girl.

 

Even during financial hardships with the business, she learned to save, stretch a dollar and invest. When things improved for the family, she secretly worked to make sure the family would never have to struggle again. Over time, Bay’s investment in rare items to secure a family nest egg turned into a passion for researching rare collectibles and their histories, and a reconnection with her childhood love dolls, stuffed animals and other antiques of beauty.

 

She took pride finding those special one-of-a-kind items that completed a group, historically important and culturally relevant items that were in perfect condition. She held a great affection and respect for each doll or stuffed animal, as if it were a new member of her family. All were kept secure, in its original packaging and condition, and in their own place in the home.

 

Bay passed away on her beloved husband’s 85th birthday in 2023. Her daughters treasured the thought of bringing her “babies” into their homes and caring for them as she had. They realized however, that there were too many for them to care for and sought to place Bay’s babie and sweetie dollies (her names for her children) with families who would treasure them as she had.