Richard Dillow Bailey

On the evening of April 4, 2011, after suffering from a rapid form of ALS, God called Dick home to join the loved ones who had gone on before him. Mr. Bailey was able to remain at home until his death. His faith remained steadfast throughout his illness to the end.

Accepting God's son, Jesus Christ, as his Lord and Savior, Dick's profession of faith was with the Methodist church; he was a regular worshiper with the church family of First Broad Street United Methodist Church in Kingsport since 1969.

Born February 10, 1935 in Kingsport, TN, Sullivan County, Mr. Bailey grew up in the Highland Park area of Kingsport. He spent most of his life in the Kingsport area and resided in the Carters Valley section of Church Hill for the past 31 years. Mr. Bailey retired from the Tennessee Eastman Safety Department with over 40 years of service as the Senior Professional Safety Representative.

He was a graduate of Blountville High School and East Tennessee State University.

Mr. Bailey enjoyed gardening, tending to his trees, especially his walnut and apple trees, and taking care of his back forty. Mr. Bailey loved sports of all kinds. He played baseball in high school, semi-pro leagues, and was given a "cup of coffee" tryout with the Bristol Pirates of the Appalachian Rookie League; bowled on many of the championship teams in the bowling leagues of this area, and on the Tennessee Travelers team which placed in the top 10 in the nation at the nationwide Hoinke's Classic. He also was an avid golfer, playing in many tournaments in the Kingsport Area, Pro-Am, and Senior League. Mr. Bailey was active in the Sullivan and Hawkins County Democratic parties, past Chairman of the Eastman Recreation Club; past President of the Eastman 25/40 Year Club; charter member with Professional classification in the American Society of Safety Engineers; past President and Director of the Kingsport Area Safety Council of which received the Guy Isenburg Founders Award for outstanding service to the field of safety, environment, health, and the community; a great supporter of local fire departments, he developed the concept, designed and built the original props, set up the events, bought the trophies, emceed, and ran the Fire Safety Rodeo in its inaugural year in 1985. This event continues to prosper as a Fun Fest event enjoyed by all to this date. Mr. Bailey has received many awards for his dedication and support for this event, but none more rewarding than the benefits he reaped from the fire fighters of this area for their appreciation of his efforts to continually improve this event.

Dick never met a stranger and was extremely to loyal to his co-workers, associates and friends, especially his golfing buddies.

Mr. Bailey was preceded in death by his father Perry Scott Bailey; mother Ruth Ann Dillow Bailey Gerhardt; and step mother Glenna Bailey.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Edna Mae Corder Bailey of the home; three children, Sharon Renee Pertew of Dallas, TX, Richard Alan Bailey of Woodstock, GA, Terrie Ruth Bailey of Kingsport, TN; five grandchildren, Brandon Lee Milhorn of Falls Church, VA, Courtney Nicole Hutton, Bristol, TN, Stephen Miles Bailey, Justin Todd Bailey of Ellicott City, MD, Daniel Jeremiah Bailey of Kingsport, TN; granddaughter Wendy Fannon of Johnson City, TN; step granddaughter Diana Peck of Ellicott City, MD; two great grandchildren Bailey Hutton of Bristol, TN, Andrew and Nathan Milhorn of Falls Church, VA; and half sister Regina Lynn Bailey of Kingsport, TN.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 pm on Friday, April 8, 2011 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will be conducted at 1 pm on Saturday at the funeral home with Dr. J. Spurgeon McCartt officiating. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park.