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CmiH.fr L. BAILfY
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Saturday, June 18, 2011
11:00 a.m.
St. John Missionary
Baptist Church
Dr. L. Perry McNeal
Officiating
Rev. Clarence Williams
Eulogist
ORDER OF SERVICE
Prelude...................................Mr. David Sharpe
ProcessionalA^iewing.....Clergy, Family and Masonic Order
Kadash Service..................Statesboro Consistory #348
Presiding.............................Dr. L. Perry McNeal
Historic Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church
Jerusalem Baptist Church
Moderator, Tattnall Missionary Baptist Association
Opening Hymn...............................Congregation
Blessed Assurance (C.Ls Favorite Hymn)
Invocation..........................Rev. Charlie Fogel, Jr.
Thomas Grove A.M.E. Church
Solo.......How Great Thou Are.....Mr. Wilson Johnson
The Holy Scripture:
Old Testament...................Dr. C.L. Anderson
St. Luke Baptist Church
New Testament...........Rev. Michael P. Dickerson
Hagan Chapel Baptist Church
Tributes:
Ms. Ophelia K. Gaines, Director
Concerted Services
Mr. Sam Murphy, President
Gladiators Club
Mr. Gregory Mason, Chief Operating Officer
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
Bailey was a lifetime member of the SSU Alumni Association,
and active SSU supporter. He was also a passionate supporter of
educational opportunities for young people. To carry on his legacy,
the family will use a part of his estate to establish a fund to support
education projects. Instead of flowers, contributions can be sent to the
SSU Office of Development for the Charles L. Bailey Scholarship, or
to the Charles L. Bailey Educational Fund, c/o The Claxton Bank,
Claxton, GA, 30417. All such contributions will be tax deductible.
Baileys long life was touched by many people and institutions,
and his life touched many people. To preserve the memory of his
upbringing, education, family life, many friendships, and his life of
dedicated service, the family is developing a publication project which
will record stories and share pictures. An invitation for family and
friends to contribute their reflections to this legacy project will be
extended at a future date.
INVICTUS (one of CLs favorite poems)
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade.
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate.
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
W.E. Henley, 1875
AFFILIATIONS AND AWARDS (Partial List)
Awards and Recognitions
Certificate of Appreciation-SE Region, Equal Opportunity Officers Assn.
1977 Certificate of Recognition, NAACP
1977Recognition, Georgia Equal Opportunity Officers Association
1990Wilbur P. Jones Etumanitarian Award, GA Community Action Assn.
1995Outstanding Leadership Service - Tattnall Missionary Baptist Assn.
1998 Most Valuable Member Award, St. Joseph Lodge #76 Claxton, GA
1999 Patriots Award, Coastal GA Area Community Action Authority, Inc.
2002Community All-Star Award, Claxton-Evans Chamber of Commerce
2005Commendation, Governor Sonny Perdue
Award, 5* Annual Black Image Awards
Proclamation, the Mayor and Council of the City of Claxton
Proclaiming August 20, 2005 as Charles Linelle Bailey Day
2009Certificate of Appreciation - Evans County High School Alumni
Affiliations
Member, NAACP and first President, Evans County Branch
American Legion Post #60 VFW Post #7357
Member, St. Joseph Lodge #76 and Past Senior Warden
Past Senior Warden, Statesboro Masonic District
Past First Lieutenant Commander, Statesboro Consistory #348
Charter Member and Past President, The Gladiators, Inc.
Past President, State Equal Opportunity Officers, GA Comm. Action Assn
Past Liaison Officer, Altamaha Area Community Action Authority, Inc.
Past Chairman, Trustee Board & Sunday Sch. Supt, St. John MB Church
Past Vice President, Layman Department, 1st District General Missionary
Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc.
Past President, Layman Department Tattnall Missionary Baptist Convention
Past Dean, Tattnall Missionary Bapt. Assn Sunday School & BTU Congress
Past Chairman of Pineland Mental Health and Retardation Advisory Council
Past Chair, Governors Adv Council on Mental Health & Mental Retardation
Member, Georgia DHR, Div. of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Area
31 Advisory Council 1970- 1978
Vice Chairman, Evans County Recreation Commission
Founding Member and Past President, Evans County Afro-American Society
Past Cub Scout Master
Past President, Evans County High School PTA
Past Chairman, Evans County High School PTA Study Group
Maggie F. Bailey Scholarship Endowment
Evans County Historical Society Evans County Red Cross Chapter
Past President, Savannah State University Tri-County Alumni Chapter
CHARLES L. BAILEY (1916-2011)
OBITUARY
Charles Linelle Bailey, known as C.L.,
departed this life on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at his
residence in Claxton. The son of the late Charlie
and Maggie Foreman Bailey, he was bom on
November 19, 1916 in Claxton, Evans County,
Georgia. He passed on Sunday, June 12, 2011.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and a sister:
Ronnie, Mae Frances, and Johnny.
Bailey received his elementary school education in the Evans
County Public School System and his high school education at
Georgia State Industrial College for
Colored Youth in 1932-1933 (now
Savannah State), graduating from Central
City College in Macon, Georgia. He
returned to college in 1934, and after
military service, received the Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Administration
from Savannah State College n/k/a
Savannah State University in 1953.
In 1944, he joined the U.S. Army with the rank of Corporal.
He was a member of a Special Training Regiment that was given the
responsibility of teaching literacy skills to African American soldiers
at Fort Benning, GA. He was honorably discharged on March 8, 1946.
On June 29, 1947, C.L. was united in Holy Matrimony to
Earlean Elizabeth Gulley of Greenville, Alabama. They met by
chance in Montgomery, AL as Earlean prepared to return to her studies
at Tuskegee Institute. To this union of almost 64 years, three children
were bom: Ronald, Cynthia and Linell.
Following his service in the Army, C.L. returned to Claxton
and opened the Wagon Wheel Restaurant. The Wagon Wheel became
a hub for entertainment and a sanctuary for many African American
citizens and travelers. Many important cultural artists performed
there, including James Brown, Little Richard, Otis
Redding, and others. He retired from the restaurant
in 1965.
In 1965, he joined the organizing staff for
the Altamaha Area Community Action Agency,
now known as Concerted Services, and worked
there until 1985. His responsibilities included
working as the Equal Opportunity Officer, and
coordinator of weatherization and commodities
distribution, among other duties.
C.L. was an active participant in many social, political, and
cultural organizations. He was one of nine African-American men
who organized The Gladiators Club in Claxton in 1954. Its purpose
was to promote economics, non-partisan politics, and social
advancement for the people in Claxton-Evans County . . . through the
corporate strength and combined efforts of the membership .... in the
thrust for Human Rights. He remained active in this organization
until his death. Other organizational affiliations included the St. John
Baptist Church, Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons, the NAACP, the Georgia Association of and the African
American Society. He was blessed with many opportunities for
service and leadership, and acknowledged by many.
Many family and friends will cherish loving and lasting
memories of C.L. Bailey. Among them are his dedicated wife Earlean
Gulley Bailey; his children, Ronald W.
Bailey (Saundra) of Statesboro, GA,
Cynthia E. Bailey of Claxton, and Linell A.
Bailey (Marcyline) of Brunswick, GA.
Grandchildren include Malika Graham-
Bailey of Chicago, IL; Jonathan D.
McBride of Manassas, VA; Robeson
Graham-Bailey of San Bemadino, CA;
Marona Graham-Bailey of Ann Arbor, MI;
Ranee Graham-Bailey of San Francisco,
CA; and Adiah L. Bailey and Anja N.
Bailey of Brunswick, GA.
ORDER OF SERVICE, continued
Solo... It Is Well With My Soul.Ms. Carolyn Blackshear
Resolutions;
St. John Baptist Church: Ms. Charlene McKinnon
Tattnall Missionary Baptist Association: Ms. Christine Bailey
Savannah State University: President Cheryl Davenport Dozier
(Presented by Dr. Irvin Clark, Vice President for Student Affairs)
State of Georgia: Rep. A1 Williams
Acknowledgements..........................Ms. Diane Holland
Obituary Read (Silently)
Solo.....Great Is Thy Faithfulness......Mr. David Sharpe
The Eulogy.............................Dr. Clarence Williams
First Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church
Savannah, Georgia
Benediction..........................Dr. Clarence Williams
Recessional..............................Mr. David Sharpe
May the Work Ive Done Speak for Me
In Appreciation
The family of the late Charles L. Bailey extends their deepest
and heartfelt gratitude for your prayers, calls, visits, food, flowers,
cards, and all other expressions of sympathy during our time of
bereavement. We are blessed and fortunate to have caring and
dependable relatives and friends. You have given us strength and each
of you will always be remembered and deeply appreciated. May God
continue to bless and keep you.
We also want to thank the staff at Harpers Funeral Home for
sensitive and efficient service.
Im Free
Dont grieve for me, for now I am free
Im following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day.
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that place at the close of the day
If my parting has left a void.
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My lifes been full, I savored much;
Good friend, good times,
A loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seems all to brief;
Dont lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your head and share with me,
God wanted me now, he set me free.
Honorary Pallbearers
The Gladiators Club, Inc.
Tattnall Missionary Baptist Assoc., Inc.
Laymen Department
Active Pallbearers
Kelvin Bailey Edward Davis
Edwin Bailey Lennix Hines
Tony Bailey Calvin McNeal
Floral Attendants
Sweet Evening Breeze O.E.S. #269
The Gladiettes, Inc.
Repast
The Bailey Family will receive relatives and friends at the Gladiator
Building following the committal service.