George David Bailey

George David Bailey, 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday night (June 29, 2014) at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, TN after a brave battle with complications from diabetes.
A lifelong resident of Kingsport, George was a 1953 graduate of Sullivan High School in Sullivan Gardens where he excelled as an all-around athlete. He briefly attended Georgia Tech to play football prior to completing his Bachelor's Degree in Education at East Tennessee State College in 1959. Following graduation, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers, and briefly played with their New Jersey farm league before returning to Tennessee to better provide for his wife, Betty, who he married on June 23, 1957, and their first child.

He remained involved in athletics by becoming a teacher at Rogersville where he served as an assistant football coach, played semi-pro ball locally, and spent 16 years as a TSSAA official for baseball, basketball, and football. Later, he followed his father into a career at the United States Postal Service where he spent 37 years until his retirement in 1998.

Throughout these years, he remained a devoted spouse to his wife, steadfast father to his four children, and loving grandfather. He maintained ties to both Mountain View United Methodist Church and Glen Alpine United Methodist Church which is located near the ancestral lands where he enjoyed being a farmer, an activity that was a large part of his personal joy and happiness.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus Kelly Bailey, Jr., and Irene Steadman Bailey; his father and mother-in-law, Walker Patton Quillen and Mary Strong Quillen; his brother Samuel Bailey; and three brothers-in-law: Eugene Quillen, Robert Fick, and Parker "P.J." Trent.

George is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty Quillen Bailey; two daughters, Patricia Bailey Fleming and her husband, Jeremy, of Sullivan Gardens and Rhonda Bailey Maupin of Lenoir City, TN; and two sons, Kelly Patton Bailey, and his wife Kelly Jo, of Sullivan Gardens and Dwight Eugene Bailey, AIA, of Atlanta, GA. Survivors also include his baby sister, Barbara Sue Trent of Kingsport, TN; and three sisters-in-law, Florence Bailey, Virginia Fick, and Peggy Bologna. He leaves behind six grandchildren and their spouses, Kevin Overbeck, Betty Reeves, Cody Maupin, Sara Lurcook, Chase Bailey, and Melissa Hembree; 10 great-grandchildren; his uncle Bob Steadman; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 from 4-7:00 pm at Glen Alpine United Methodist Church. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm with Rev. Rhonda Hobbs officiating.

A graveside service will be conducted on Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 11:00 am at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

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