Earl Franklin Bailey

Earl Franklin Bailey, 92, of 10781 Highway 903, Halifax, died Saturday, December 26, 2009, at Guardian Care of Roanoke Rapids.

Mr. Bailey attended Pierces Campground United Methodist Church for 68 years until its closing. He was a retired self-employed farmer and an avid fisherman all his life. He was a loving, Christian husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents: Henry and Bertha Harrison Bailey; his wife, Ellen Williams Bailey; his sisters: Irene Warren, Mintie Bailey; his brothers: Norman and Jodie. He is survived by his sons: Earl W. Bailey, of Halifax, and Lewis W. Bailey and wife, Judy, of Bowdon, Georgia; his daughter: Jean B. Nelms and husband, James, of Halifax; his brothers: Willy B. Bailey and wife, Catherine, of Grifton, N. C. and Warren Bailey and wife, Peggy, of Newport News, Virginia; and his sister, Marie Tyson of Bellarthur, N. C.; grandchildren: Jimmy, Wade and Eddie Nelms, Debra Walls, Sharon Oliver and husband, Chuck, Earl W. Bailey, Jr. and wife, Michelle, Janet Thornton and husband, Wade, Brian Bailey and wife, Mindy, Lewis Bailey, Jr. and wife, Misty, Michael Bailey and wife, Trina, Chris Bailey, and Cynthia Tallman and husband, Leroy; 17 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 29, 2009, in the chapel of Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service at 1:00 P.M. conducted by Rev. Steve Formo. Burial will follow at Pineview Cemetery in Rocky Mount. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, December 28, from 7 8:30 P.M. and other times at the home of Jean Nelms at 11174 Highway 903, Halifax. Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service is handling the arrangements.