Bill Text: MS HR21 | 2022 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: William Earl Bailey, Sr.; commend life upon his passing.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Passed) 2022-02-17 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR21 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2022-HR21-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Thompson
House Resolution 21
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. WILLIAM EARL BAILEY, SR.
WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on Thursday, January 27, 2022, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. William Earl Bailey, Sr., to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, friends and community; and
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the City of Okolona, Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend, loving husband and father and dedicated community leader with the passing of Mr. Bailey, who was born on February 20, 1952, in the Egypt community to the late Eugene "Tom" and Elnora Gladney Bailey, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and
WHEREAS, William Earl Bailey, Sr., was a man of uncompromised faith and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, beginning his spiritual journey at Zion Springs Missionary Baptist Church and then becoming a founding member of Mt. Calvary Outreach Ministries in Okolona, where he served as a deacon and trustee, and he now enjoys the eternal peace described in Luke 2:29, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word"; and
WHEREAS, a truly exquisite person, Mr. Bailey was part of the last class to graduate from Fannie Carter High School in 1970, before the integration of Okolona High School, and after graduation, he was employed in the furniture industry for many years, working at Futorian; and
WHEREAS, additionally, Mr. Bailey became a licensed insurance agent, built strong partnerships, and proved for over 35 years that his mannerisms and words of comfort greatly impacted people throughout the State of Mississippi and across state lines, and in 2021, Mr. Bailey and his family founded Bailey Funeral Home to care for families in their time of need; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bailey's love and affection pierced the heart and soul of Naomi Edwards, and on September 5, 1981, the two lovebirds exchanged the vows of holy matrimony with their sweet "I dos"; and
WHEREAS, blessed with a servant's heart, Mr. Bailey not only served God in his local church through many areas and especially the gift of song, but he also served his community as a member of Okolona Chamber of Commerce (former president), Okolona School Board (former president), FC/OHS Scholarship Committee and several other organizations, and for his altruistic spirit, in 2016, he received the Community Service Award from the Okolona Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, Mr. William Earl Bailey, Sr., was a strong, loving and compassionate father, husband, grandfather, confidante and friend who touched the lives of all those who crossed his sweet and charming path, and his warm hugs, positive energy, contagious laughter and bright smile will be forever cherished by his family, friends and others who knew him and experienced his greatness; and
WHEREAS, the memory of Mr. Bailey, a man held in the highest regard by friends and family as an inspiring and precious gift from God, will continue to refresh the hearts and memories of his beloved survivors: his wife, Naomi Bailey; children, Shiekeal (Lamont) French, Pranati Bailey, William (Stacey) Bailey, Jr., Nathan Bailey, Takiana Bailey, Alexander Bailey, Steven (Shereese) White, Derrick Swing and Catrina (Terry) Tallie; siblings, Minerva Grayson, Katherine Yont (Dan), Evelyn Townsend, Ollie Jetter, Warzella Gillespie, Eugene Bailey, Jr., (Callie), Willie C. Bailey, Warren Bailey (Patricia), Reverend Harlin Bailey (Emma) and Lennon Bailey; daughter-in-law, Donnica Hykes; 17 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Nannie Lou Edwards; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ishmell (Josephine) Edwards, Sandra (Andy) Johnson, Vernetta (David, Sr.) Bynum, Shelia (Wayne) Fiddis, Mary (Barry) Buggs, Gary Edwards and Timothy (Francine) Edwards; and a host of other relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member in Revelation 21:4, wherein is recorded, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" and renewed in their faith that Mr. Bailey fulfilled the commandment of II Timothy 4:7 by having "fought a good fight, finishing his course and keeping the faith until the hour of his departure was at hand"; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. William Earl Bailey, Sr., a gracious man who loved his family and friends unconditionally and worshipped the Lord God Almighty with all of his heart and soul, bringing glory and honor to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mr. William Earl Bailey, Sr., and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. William Earl Bailey, Sr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
