Dr. Bailey

Dr. Jesse C. Bailey, age 89, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, passed away on December 5, 2017, at Hospice of West Alabama. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday December 8, 2017, at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North, officiated by Rev. Donald Springer. Visitation will be held preceding the service from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Corinth Baptist Church cemetery in Elrod, Alabama with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North directing. Dr. Bailey was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Betty Lou Bailey; and brothers, Truman Bailey, Daniel Bailey and Randall Bailey. Surviving him are his wife of almost 67 years, Betty Lou Barrett Bailey; daughters, LuAnn Springer (Lynwood) and Laura Cabaniss (Rodney); son, Russell Bailey (Kristy); cherished grandchildren, Colby Kimmel (Chris), Robbie Wilson (Kyle), Tyler Bailey, Palmer Cabaniss, and Jessica Cabaniss; and great-grandchildren, Barrett Kimmel, Jack Kimmel and Robert Wilson. He is also survived by his brother, Samuel Bailey (Barbara) and sisters-in-law, Jean Bailey, Charlotte Bailey and Sharon Bailey. He was born on August 24, 1928 in Gordo, Alabama to Emmett H. Bailey and Addie Lois Bridges Bailey. Dr. Bailey led a life of service to others and left behind a legacy of love for his family. He left school in the 8th grade and worked at the Gordo planer mill to help support his family during hard times. He then served his country in the United States Army and was deployed to Korea during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, he obtained his GED and then graduated from the University of Alabama, and ultimately earned his PhD in Education Administration. He served as a teacher and guidance counselor at Holt High School, as principal at a local alternative school, professor at Livingston University and as federal funds coordinator for the Tuscaloosa County School Board. He also served as a counselor at Phoenix House, Tuscaloosa, where he took a personal role in assisting clients, even to the point of bringing them home with him on occasion. He loved teaching his students at Holt High School, his children and his grandchildren. He loved teaching because he loved people, and his best lesson for us is found in the life he lived. He was ordained as a deacon many years ago at Corinth Baptist Church and was a member of First Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa. He was an accomplished pianist who entertained his family and church congregations with his Southern Gospel style. As a young man, he taught singing schools in rural communities and was pianist for the Rainbow Quartet. Pallbearers will be Colin Barrett, Lynwood Springer, Rodney Cabaniss, Tyler Bailey, Palmer Cabaniss, Christopher Kimmel and Kyle Wilson. Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Ross Vaughn, Mr. Jerry Belk, nurses and caregivers at Hospice of West Alabama, friends at Crimson Village, loving caregivers Mrs. Mavis Jones, Mrs. Cherry Sexton, Ms. Trish Steward and Ms. Chandler Heaton. A special thank you to Mrs. Mary Dillard and Uncle Samuel Bailey for their love and support during Daddy's illness.