Joe Albert Bailey

….while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:18 Joe Albert Bailey was born into this world on November 17, 1930, in the Holly Grove Community of Okolona, Arkansas. He was the son of Willie and Beulah Livingston Bailey. He accepted Christ as his personal savior at a young age. He was a member of Baring Cross Church of God in Christ and a former employee of Anthony Timberlands. Joe was a simple man who enjoyed the simple things that life offered. He possessed a charismatic spirit and a cunning, yet pleasant smile. He loved to joke and kid around. He met Susie Mae Giles and loved her dearly. Joe was a surrogate father to her children and never met a stranger. Joe always knew how to make the best out of any dull and bad situation. He treated everybody the same and was known for “telling it, like it is.” To know him was to love him. His sense of humor and laugh will be sorely missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, his longtime companion, Susie Mae Giles who made her transition on Monday, December 18, 2006; a daughter he raised as his own, Bertha Giles; three grandchildren; one sister, Jo Mae Gary, nine brothers, Frank J. Bailey (2013), Thurman “Fat” Bailey (2006), Lacy “Love” Bailey (2006), DeWitt Bailey (2009), Jay B. Bailey, Jimmy Lee Bailey, Jessie Bailey, Herman Bailey, and Bub Bailey. On Wednesday, January 1, 2014 after a full life of 83 years Joe went home to be with the Lord. Those left to cherish his memory are his children that he loved and cherished as his own: Willie Giles, Sr., of Gurdon, AR, Joe Willie Giles of Lansing, MI, Raymond Giles of Lansing MI, Roy Lee Giles of Lansing, MI, Richard (Michelle) Giles of Lansing, MI, Diane (David) Quarles of Gurdon, AR, Larry Giles of Lansing, MI, Marilyn (Dwight) Johnson of Gurdon, AR; John H. Mitchell of Lansing, MI; a special friend and care-giver Johnny (Sallie) Smith of Gurdon, AR; two sisters, Willie Mae Benson of San Francisco, CA, and Dorothy Phifer of St. Louis, MO; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The goal of life: simple, but not empty. The final celebration and tribute to his life will be shared at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7th at Eastern Star Baptist Church in the Smithton Community. Superintendent Robert Davis will officiate. The interment will be in Holly Grove Cemetery in Okolona, Arkansas. Public visitation will be held on Monday, January 6th from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.