Orville M. Bailey, beloved husband and father, went home to be with the Lord and his greatly loved and missed wife, Willie Mae, on Friday, July 31, 2015. He was 87.
Mr. Bailey grew up in Double Springs and graduated from Winston County High School where he was president of the senior class and Valedictorian. He entered the University of Alabama in the fall of 1944 and following the completion of his first year entered the United States Navy where he served in the Pacific during World War II. Following his naval service he entered Florence State College (University of North Alabama) where he received his bachelors degree. He also attended George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University where he received his Masters Degree in School Administration. He served as President of the Florence State College Alumni Association in 1953-54. He was a dedicated educator for more than forty years and touched the lives of countless students and teachers. He began his career teaching at Lexington School in 1949 and in 1952, at age twenty-four, became principal of the school. He served as principal of Lexington School until 1966 when he became Assistant Superintendent of the Lauderdale County School System. Mr. Bailey was a long-time member of Lexington United Methodist Church. Upon his retirement in 1989, he stated in a newspaper interview that “Life is short and I want to enjoy the time I have left.” Two weeks after his retirement he and his wife, Willie Mae, took a 14-day trip to New England. They had a great love for travel and enjoyed many great trips over the years. He loved his family, his church, his neighbors and the town of Lexington and certainly achieved his goal of enjoying life.
Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Monday, August 3, 2015, at Lexington United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at Lexington United Methodist Church, with Dr. Tommy Green officiating and assisted by Dr. John Green and the Rev. Ken Flower and Rev. Sam Hayes. Interment will be at Pettus Cemetery in Lexington.
Pallbearers will be Philip Green, Matthew Green, John Green, Ken Flower, Tyler Flower, Donald Bailey and Chris Cameron.
Mr. Bailey was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Willie Mae Bailey; his parents, B.M. and Jewell Bailey; infant daughter, Susan Leigh Bailey; and daughter-in-law, Linda Bailey.
He is survived by son, Don Bailey (Kai Kai) and daughters, Sandra Flower (Dean) and Karen Green (Tommy). He had nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lexington United Methodist Church Building Fund.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and caregivers from Home Instead; Regina Blankenship, Susie Holden, Holly Large and Jan Weeks who took such wonderful care of Daddy over the past few months.
You are invited to visit the online guest registry at elkinsfuneralhome.com and leave condolences.
Elkins East Chapel is assisting the family.
