Bobby Reid Bailey

Bobby R. Bailey, 78, of Abbeville, husband of Virginia Allen Bailey, died Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at his residence. He was born in Union, SC to the late Jesse B. and Lily Palmer Bailey. Mr. Bailey was a 1950 graduate of Lockhart High School and a 1954 graduate of Newberry College. At Newberry, Bobby was an All- Star performer his junior and senior years in baseball. After college graduation, he signed a professional baseball contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. When his baseball career ended, Mr. Bailey returned to Lockhart High School to teach and coach baseball and basketball. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Bobby was a member of the Lockhart Masonic Lodge #244 and a member of New Hope Presbyterian Church. In 1993, Mr. Bailey was inducted into the Newberry College Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2007, he was inducted into the Union County High School Hall of Fame. He retired from Southland Life Insurance Company after many years of service. After retirement, Bobby worked for his son Reid at Reliable Heating and Cooling. He will not only be remembered for being a wonderful husband, father and grandfather but a great friend. Mr. Bailey is survived by his wife of 51 years of the home; two sons, Reid Bailey and his wife Donna and Joel Bailey all of Abbeville; two brothers, Keith Bailey and his wife Anne of Union, SC and Charles Bailey and his wife Gayle of Greenwood; and a grandson, Zachary Bailey of Abbeville. The family will receive friends from 11:00AM to 12:30PM on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at New Hope Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 1:00PM in the Church. Burial, with military honors, will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. The family is at the residence. Memorial contributions, in memory of Mr. Bailey, may be sent to the HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES is assisting the Bailey family.