Leroy Bailey

Leroy Bailey, age 87, of Kirby, surrounded by family, went to meet our Lord and Savior on Friday, February 21, 2020. Leroy was born on March 27, 1932 in Horatio, Arkansas, the second of six children born to Otis Levi Bailey and Vena Jackson Bailey. On July 25, 1953, he married Nora Elizabeth Lane, who preceded him in death on July 7, 2012. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Carl Bailey, Hershel Bailey, and Olan Bailey; and his son, Gary Bailey. Leroys family was the highlight of his life. His love for them was evident to everyone he met, and he rarely met a person without telling them about his grandchildren. His pride and joys were his great-grandchildren, Trayton, Gavyn, AJ, and Little Joe. Leroy spent many hours traveling to ballgames, horseshows, talent shows, and anything else his grandchildren were participating in to watch them play and compete. Leroy could tell stories for hours over his life full of memories. Leroy spent many evenings listening to his family and friends play music and it was very rare that he missed a chance to get behind the microphone himself. He had a memory like no other and was able to recall many poems and songs for his family and friends. Leroy loved to supervise his boys when they were taking care of their cows once he was no longer able to do the work himself. Leroy was a farmer in his younger days, he raised cows and chickens, and always had a pasture with a horse in it. Leroy worked many hours for Ernie Dunlap at Dunlaps store in the 70s. He spent many mornings at that same store now owned by his daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and John. If you have ever been to Dunlaps on a weekday morning, you probably have a memory to tell about Leroy and his daughter, Sandra. Leroy was also a logger. He worked with his sons, Gary, Michael, and Shane, as well as his son-in-law, John, and many friends over the years. He loved dogs and owned many good ones throughout his life. In his later days, he loved to go and watch his grandson-in-law, Brian, work cow dogs. Leroy was an avid Kirby Trojan fan and loved to go watch them play basketball. Leroy faithfully attended the Circle Cross Cowboy Church in Glenwood. Left to honor Leroy and remember his love are his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Renanda Bailey, his daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and John Garrett, his son, Shane Bailey, his daughters-in-law, Shelley Bailey and Bessy Bailey, all of Kirby; his grandchildren and their spouses, Amber and Dustin Young, Aubrey Bailey, Andrea and Brian Holder, Ashton Bailey, Carlee Garrett, Carson Garrett, Shannon Bailey, Dinah and Cory Davis, Tamiesha Baxter, William Talbott and Nelly Crus, Dianna Talbott, Nichole Talbott, Alex and Heely Casco; 13 great-grandchildren; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul and Virginia Bailey of Nashville, Jimmy and Wanda Bailey and Kay Bailey, all of Murfreesboro; several nieces and nephews, extended family and many longtime friends. Services will be held at 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, February 25, 2020, in the Kirby Gymnasium with Bro. Bruce Tidwell, Bro. Kevin Jewell and Bro. Joe Cogburn officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday, 11:00 AM until service time, at the gym. Interment will be in Pike City Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Woodall and the Kirby Trojan basketball teams. Memorials may be made to the Pike City Cemetery, c/o Henry Ward, 3 North Bass Lane, Murfreesboro, Arkansas 71958. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.