ciUBRanNC Tin un or CmiH.fr L. BAILfY CC.U 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.