Obituary for Charles (Charlie) Bailey

Veteran Republican campaigner Charles (Charlie) Eugene Bailey passed away Monday, Labor Day, September 3, at 10:35 a.m. following neurological complications from several strokes and ultimate heart failure. He was 61.

Bailey was born September 11, 1945 and raised in Crossville, TN.

“My father taught me many lessons during my life that I will never forget,” said Kevin Bailey, his youngest son, (former HD 22 candidate and current prospective Congressional District 4 candidate). “He taught me to always be a gentleman and be there for people in their time of need.”

“He taught us to work hard and treat people fairly.”

“The people of Georgia have lost a great political leader because even when he lost his campaign he was always there to help others.”

Bailey was a lifelong Republican and one of the founding members of the modern Republican Party in Georgia. He played a role in the election of many Republican candidates and himself mounted four separate campaigns for Secretary of State. In 2002, he won the Republican primary for Secretary of State and carried the party’s banner in the general election.

“Charlie was passionate about public service,” said Senator David Shafer, whose friendship with Bailey began in 1996 when they both ran for Secretary of State. “He was a tireless campaigner. He cared about people and loved politics. He was an honest and decent man, and he will be missed.”

Bailey’s longtime friend, Jay Rogers, said “Charlie Bailey was a very loyal, passionate, and true friend who enjoyed Tennessee and Falcons football and was fun to be with; I have lost a dear friend.”

He is survived by his three children, two step-children, and their families; first born son Charles E. Bailey, Jr., daughter Anne M. (Bailey) Mattis and Ben Mattis, her children Michael and Courtney Mattis (and his great-grandchild Cassie Mattis), and Charlie’s second son, Kevin M. Bailey and his fiancée Annie Harris.

Bailey was active in church and community. He served as Georgia President of Pop Warner Football and Lieutenant Governor of Optimist International. He was active in the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity and his children’s school activities, including band, sports and Scouts. He was a member of Roswell United Methodist Church, North Georgia Emmaus Community, Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, and Promise Keepers.

There will be a memorial service on Friday at for all who would like to attend with welcoming of friends an hour before the service and food donated from Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q and fellowship afterward.

This will be held at Roswell United Methodist Church (located at 814 Mimosa Boulevard – Roswell, GA 30075 (http://www.rumc.com).) The time will be at 4 p.m. The family has asked that no flowers be given.

Memorial gifts may be given to Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, FODAC 4900 Lewis Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 (http://www.fodac.org.)

Lauren McDonald of McDonald and Son Funeral Home and Crematory in Cumming assisted with arrangements.

This entry was posted by Bill Simon, on Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 at 4:25 pm and is filed under Odds and Ends and You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.