Wilbur Davis Bailey

Wilbur Davis Bailey, age 89, of Malesus, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, with his family at his side.

Wilbur was born on August 18, 1935, in Jackson TN to the late Wilbur Herbert Bailey and Hattie Pearl Herron Bailey. During his childhood years, he lived in Mercer, TN. He graduated from Mercer High School in 1953. He attended the University of Tennessee at Martin and Lambuth College for his undergraduate studies. While at Lambuth, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (1957) while also playing basketball. He completed post graduate work at Memphis State University and East Tennessee State University.

In June 1961, he married Elizabeth Anne Johnson. He was a member of Malesus Baptist Church for over 61 years, and during this time was assistant church treasurer, member of Brotherhood, member of the Alvin Durbin Sunday School Class, served on various church committees, and taught Royal Ambassadors. He served on the Malesus Ebenezer Cemetery Board of Trustees for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, cooking, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

In 1958, Wilbur began his career in public health at the Jackson Madison County Health Department. During his career, he held a variety of positions with both the City of Jackson and Jackson Madison County Health Department, including Director of Health and Sanitation, Director of Environmental Health, and Director of Administrative and Professional Services. 

In 1991, he was the recipient of the Dr. R.H. Hutcheson Award for his outstanding career service in public health. He was a member of Tennessee Public Works Association, Tennessee Public Health Association, and served as President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Tennessee Environmental Health Association. He retired as Director of Administrative and Professional Services with the Jackson Madison County Health Department in 1994, then continued working part-time for several years as Director of Special Projects.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth Anne Johnson Bailey. He leaves his two children: daughter, Mitzi Bailey Kirk and husband Larry, and son, Mike Bruce Bailey and wife Terri; two grandchildren: Connor Johnson Kirk, and Bailey Davis Kirk; sister: Peggy Bailey Robinson: brother-in-law: Arthur Johnson Jr, nieces: Denise Robinson Bell and Jill Johnson, and nephews: Greg Robinson and Arthur Johnson III (“Chip”). Other special family members include: Will Bell III and Kendall, Bailey Bell and Anna, Parker Bell and Lacy, Palmer Bell, Hayes Bell, Drew Johnson and Abby, Haley Haltom Couch, and Cody Haltom.

Services: The funeral service will be held at 12pm on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Malesus Baptist Church with Bro. Mark Cagle and Bro. Ron Hale officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00 am until time of the service. A graveside service will follow at Malesus Ebenezer Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to: Sunnyside Cemetery in Mercer, 72 Dodd Rd., Medon, TN 38356 or Malesus Baptist Church, 480 Old Malesus Rd., Jackson, TN 38301.