Andy Bailey, 57, of Iuka, Mississippi, died on Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Iuka. Throughout his life, Andy had many different careers. He had been a sheriff’s deputy, a firefighter, a paramedic, an engineer for Riverboat, a pollution control operator in Corinth, an industrial maintenance technician for Evoqua, and a rescue diver for Tishomingo County and the surrounding area. He was a member of the Bridge in Burnsville and enjoyed attending when he was able. Andy had a huge heart. Everyone that knew him loved him, and he was known as “Papa Bear” for his tendencies to take care of and help so many people. In his free time, he liked being on the water, fishing, and camping. What he loved over everything, though, was his family and his pets. Andy is survived by his mother, Pat Cooper; his children, Dylan Bailey (Tara), Hunter Peters, Brianna Sparks (Scott), and Shawn Clark (Amanda); his siblings, Jackson “Sparky” Bailey and Tammie Glover (Billy); his grandchildren, Lila Kate Bailey, Salem Sparks, and Maggie Sparks; his love, Michele Bailey; his dog, Izzy; and a host of other loved family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Cooper; his biological father, Pete Bailey; and his grandparents, Coledge and Mary Cole Young, and Robert and Jessie Cooper. Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka, MS, is entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at The Bridge in Burnsville. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at The Bridge in Burnsville, officiated by Bro. Billy Glover and Bro. James Rich. Memorials may be made in Andy’s honor to either the Bridge in Burnsville or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
