Roy Bailey

Bluefield, WV- Roy Bailey, of 2201 Washington Street, Bluefield, WV, died Friday February 6, 2009 in a Bluefield hospital. Born in Coalwood, WV, he was a son of the late Eli Thomas Bailey and Rosa Ann Moore Bailey. Mr. Bailey was a 1936 graduate of Welch High School. He graduated from Morehead State University with a B.A. Degree and a Master's Degree in Education. He was also in the Morehead State University Football Hall of Fame. He received his Principal's Certificate from West Virginia University. Mr. Bailey began his teaching career at Wade School where he was a coach of all sports for 10 years. These years were always a special part of his teaching career. Following his tenure at Wade School he was Vice Principal at Central Junior High School. He was dedicated to Mercer County Schools for 35 years. Mr. Bailey served as a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II. His plane was shot down over Holland where the Germans captured him and his crew. Mr. Bailey was a P.O.W. until the end of the war. He was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school and served on many committees. He loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandsons. He also loved to play golf with his friends. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters. Survivors include is loving wife, Helen Hurst Bailey of the home; one daughter, Barbara Ann Bailey Marquess and her husband Larry of Lakewood, CO; and two grandsons, Alex Marquess and his wife Sara of Arvada, CO and Wade Marquess, a senior at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday February 9, 2009 at 2:30p.m. in the Mercer Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Susan Rector and Dr. Don Scott officiating. The family will receive friends at Mercer Funeral Home on Monday from 1:30 p.m. until the time of services. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton where members of the family will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Christian Action Class of Trinity United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions, if desired, be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 401 College Avenue, Bluefield, WV 24701. Those wishing to share memories or e-mail condolences may do so by visiting www.mercerfuneralhome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Roy Bailey.