Obituary for William "Bill" Bailey
William Berry Bailey, 81, of Folkston, Ga., passed away on Sunday, September 06, 2020, at Baptist Medical Center, Downtown Jacksonville, FL. He was born October 08, 1938, in Charlton County, to the late, Sylvester Bailey, Sr. and Johanna Berry Bailey. " Bill" as he was affectionately known by his family and close friends, was a dedicated lifelong member of the Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon.
Bill was educated in the Charlton County Public School System. Upon completion of high school, he attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Ga., where he studied engineering and he also attended Florida Junior College in Jacksonville, Fl., where he studied and became a certified carpenter. Bill played a key role in starting the first local Chapter of the NAACP, alongside of Ferris Everett, who served as the local President. Bill was drafted into the United States Army and served active duty in the Reserves for approximately 20 years. His work history, comprised of Thiokol Chemical Plant, Woodbine, GA, Terminal Bag Plant, Yulee, FL and CSX Railroad Rice Yard, Waycross, GA, from which he retired as a Switch Operator. Bill was an avid reader and he enjoyed exposing his daughters to exotic fruits and vegetables.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Johanna Bailey; his grandmother, Eula Bell Stafford; and his brothers, Jo Van Bailey and Elbert Jackson.
He leaves to cherish his memories: loving children, Sonya Parker (Kevin) of Stone Mountain, GA, Donna Bailey of Savannah, GA, Jolaunda Bailey and Kimberly Bailey of Folkston, GA, Chelsey Bailey-Washington (George) of Jacksonville, FL, and Desiree Bailey-Monroe (Marcus) Columbus, GA; loving grandchildren, Kevin and Courtney Parker, Kenneth Hicks, Jibril Bailey, Kendall Benton (Terry), Kristen and Fredrick Lambert, Adaunis and Devony King, Garrison Washington, Zoe Monroe; great-grandchildren, Bailey Hart, Kennedy Benton, Pilar Campbell, Terrelle Doyle and Gwin Rifenbark; sisters, Lou Ann Bailey and Alma Watson; his brothers, Sylvester Bailey, Jr. and Roland Bailey (LaWanda); sister in-law, Glenda Jackson; special nephews, Sylvester Bailey III and Kevin Walker; a friend and care-giver, Rose “Rosie” Brunson-Bailey; as well as, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Viewing will be held on Friday, September 11, 2020, at Mt. New Home Missionary Baptist Church, 417 Dixie Lake Road, Folkston, Ga., from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m., for the immediate family members ONLY (please respect the family wishes), and from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m., for the general public. Because of the restrictions of COVID-19, we will NOT allow sitting in the church, which leads to gathering and the possible spread of the virus. You will be allowed to sign the book and to walk through the church, view and exit the building.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., at Johanna Gardens, located just before the Mt. Carmel Cemetery on Mt. Carmel Cemetery Road, Folkston, GA. 31537
****WE KINDLY ASK THAT EVERYONE ATTENDING EITHER OF THE TWO SCHEDULED EVENTS, COME PREPARED WITH YOUR PPE EQUIPMENT. MASKS ARE A MANDATORY AND PLEASE ADHERE TO THE 6 FT. SOCIAL DISTANCING RULE SET BY THE CDC. THESE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ARE SET TO PROTECT EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER.
Bill was educated in the Charlton County Public School System. Upon completion of high school, he attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Ga., where he studied engineering and he also attended Florida Junior College in Jacksonville, Fl., where he studied and became a certified carpenter. Bill played a key role in starting the first local Chapter of the NAACP, alongside of Ferris Everett, who served as the local President. Bill was drafted into the United States Army and served active duty in the Reserves for approximately 20 years. His work history, comprised of Thiokol Chemical Plant, Woodbine, GA, Terminal Bag Plant, Yulee, FL and CSX Railroad Rice Yard, Waycross, GA, from which he retired as a Switch Operator. Bill was an avid reader and he enjoyed exposing his daughters to exotic fruits and vegetables.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Johanna Bailey; his grandmother, Eula Bell Stafford; and his brothers, Jo Van Bailey and Elbert Jackson.
He leaves to cherish his memories: loving children, Sonya Parker (Kevin) of Stone Mountain, GA, Donna Bailey of Savannah, GA, Jolaunda Bailey and Kimberly Bailey of Folkston, GA, Chelsey Bailey-Washington (George) of Jacksonville, FL, and Desiree Bailey-Monroe (Marcus) Columbus, GA; loving grandchildren, Kevin and Courtney Parker, Kenneth Hicks, Jibril Bailey, Kendall Benton (Terry), Kristen and Fredrick Lambert, Adaunis and Devony King, Garrison Washington, Zoe Monroe; great-grandchildren, Bailey Hart, Kennedy Benton, Pilar Campbell, Terrelle Doyle and Gwin Rifenbark; sisters, Lou Ann Bailey and Alma Watson; his brothers, Sylvester Bailey, Jr. and Roland Bailey (LaWanda); sister in-law, Glenda Jackson; special nephews, Sylvester Bailey III and Kevin Walker; a friend and care-giver, Rose “Rosie” Brunson-Bailey; as well as, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Viewing will be held on Friday, September 11, 2020, at Mt. New Home Missionary Baptist Church, 417 Dixie Lake Road, Folkston, Ga., from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m., for the immediate family members ONLY (please respect the family wishes), and from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m., for the general public. Because of the restrictions of COVID-19, we will NOT allow sitting in the church, which leads to gathering and the possible spread of the virus. You will be allowed to sign the book and to walk through the church, view and exit the building.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., at Johanna Gardens, located just before the Mt. Carmel Cemetery on Mt. Carmel Cemetery Road, Folkston, GA. 31537
****WE KINDLY ASK THAT EVERYONE ATTENDING EITHER OF THE TWO SCHEDULED EVENTS, COME PREPARED WITH YOUR PPE EQUIPMENT. MASKS ARE A MANDATORY AND PLEASE ADHERE TO THE 6 FT. SOCIAL DISTANCING RULE SET BY THE CDC. THESE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ARE SET TO PROTECT EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER.