Fred Bailey

Fred Bailey, 79, of Kingsport, passed away on July 20, 2010, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Fred graduated from Sullivan High School in 1951. He served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956, before beginning a long career with Kingsport Press, and later, Southeastern Color Graphics.

Fred's love for God and his desire to help others led him into multiple leadership roles at Bays Mountain Baptist Church, where he served as a vessel of the Lord's light in the community he cherished. Fred will be remembered by friends and family as a man of strong character and good humor, who derived great joy from spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Phyllis Wilson Bailey; sons, Steve and his wife, Sherry, of Tallahassee, FL, Jeff, of Church Hill, and Craig, of Kingsport; grandchildren, Allison Stewart and husband, Jerry, Rachel DeLuise and husband, Anthony, Josh Bailey, and Ian Bailey; and adoring great-grandchildren, Stephanie, Sam, Sara, Bailey, Bella Grace, Izaiah, and Laken; and sisters, Mary Nell Bowser and Ruth Jones, of Kingsport.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home in Kingsport. Funeral services will follow at 7:00, with Rev. Ronnie Baxter officiating.

Military graveside rites will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Friday at Mountain Home National Cemetery by American Legion Posts #3/265. Honorary pallbearers are friends Dallas Bernard, Ernest Brockman, Mickey Carberry, Fred Childress, Barney Gillenwater, Donny Hite, Bill Lambert, Arley Partin, Billy Richardson, Manuel Steffey, Gerald Trent, Richard Trout, and John Williams.

Memorial contributions in honor of Fred may be made to Bays Mountain Baptist Church, 2000 Meadowview Parkway, Kingsport, TN 37660, or to Wellmont Hospice Program, P. O. Box 238, Kingsport, TN 37662.