The Reverend Doctor Kenneth E. Bailey, Sr.

On early Saturday morning, February 10, 2018, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Elvin Bailey, Sr., affectionately known as “Ken”, entered the door into God’s magnificent presence.

Rev. Bailey was a lifelong resident of Eutawville, South Carolina, the fourth of nine children born to the late Peter Bailey and Annie Ruth Bailey. He attended the public schools of Holly Hill School District, graduating from Roberts High School and furthering his education by receiving his undergraduate degree from Morris College, Sumter, South Carolina, a Masters of Education from South Carolina State College, Orangeburg, South Carolina and completing requirements for a Doctor of Divinity while attending Carolina Theological Bible Institute, Reevesville, South Carolina, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina and Shaw University Divinity School, Raleigh, North Carolina.

After graduating from Morris College, he was drafted into the military, serving in the United States Army, 1968-1970. He served in Vietnam 1969 – 1970 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. After returning home, Rev. Bailey joined VFW Post 6738, eventually serving as its Commander.

In 1971, he met and married the love of his life, the former Ida Lemon. This union was blessed with two children, Brigetta Petrice Bailey and Kenneth Elvin Bailey, Jr.

Rev. Bailey began his professional career as a teacher at Williams Memorial High School in St. George, South Carolina. After teaching for a number of years, Rev. Bailey was named Orangeburg County Adult Education Director.

While working full-time as an educator, his part-time job was working side by side with his maternal grandfather, Jacob Wright in the family owned business, Jake Wright Grocery Store. After the death of his grandfather, he became the sole owner of the business.

Rev. Bailey became active in social and political organizations in his community. He joined the Eutawville Branch of the NAACP and became a member of Briner Lodge #365. He was elected to the Holly Hill School District Board of Trustee in 1975, serving as Vice-Chairman during his tenure on the Board. Rev. Bailey became the South Eutawville Precinct President in 1980, State Democratic Party Executive Committeeman in 1984 and was elected to the State House of Representative, Orangeburg County District 94 in 1985.

Rev. Bailey was a strong man of faith and did not stray from the religious upbringing his parents instilled in him. At an early age, he was baptized and became a member of Springfield Missionary Baptist Church. He served in numerous capacities in the church. To name a few, he was a member of the Sunday School, a Sunday School Teacher, Church Clerk, Male Chorus President, and Chairman of the Deacon Ministry. Rev. Bailey answered God’s calling and was ordinated into the gospel ministry, May 25, 2002.  He later became a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church in Grover, South Carolina. Rev. Bailey was appointed and installed as Pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church, Pregnall, South Carolina on February 18, 2007.

While serving as Pastor, Rev. Bailey saw it as his godly duty to make God’s House of Worship comfortable for its worshippers. Under his leadership a new roof was put on the church, the church was painted, windows were installed and the Deacon Ministry membership increased. During his tenure as Pastor, St. Mark rejoined the Surprise Baptist Association and Rev. Bailey was eventually elected as Moderator of the Surprise Baptist Association.

Rev. Bailey also served as a Chaplain for Hospice of South Carolina providing emotional and spiritual counseling to the patients and their families.

Rev. Bailey had strong work ethics and was recognized for his dedication and commitment. He was named Outstanding Young Man of America, 1977, Personality of the South, 1977, President of the South Carolina Association of Adult Education Director, serving as President-elect in 1984 and President in 1985-86 and Co-Director of the Year for Adult Education of South Carolina, 1985.

Rev. Bailey was the glue that held his family together. He was there… A firm foundation through all storms of life, s sturdy hand to hold on to in times of stress and strife. There when times were good or bad, one of the family’s greatest blessings. He was a very a strong and positive individual and would always look for the best in any situation. As the oldest sibling living in Eutawville after the death of his father, Rev. Bailey became a “brother father” to his younger siblings. He made a special effort to ensure that his younger siblings completed college and assisted them personally and professionally. His nieces and nephews saw him as a tower of strength. He was their role model, mentor, confidant, and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Annie Ruth, his son Kenneth, Jr., his sister Margaret, and his brothers, Peter Jr. and Bernard.

Rev. Bailey will be forever remembered by his loving and caring wife, Dr. Ida Bailey of the home, his devoted daughter, Brigetta Bailey of Raleigh, North Carolina. His precious grandchildren, Mikenzie Butler of Raleigh, North Carolina, Kenneth Elvin Bailey, III of Ridgeville, South Carolina and Kenneth Kyreeh Evans-Bailey of Winston Salem, North Carolina.

His siblings, Dorothy Prioleau of Boston, Mass., William (Michon) Bailey of Silver Spring, Maryland, Archie (Sherita) Bailey of Washington, DC, Shirley (Leon) Oliver and JoAnn (George) Lawton, both of Eutawville, SC. His in-laws, Alvilda(James) Simmons, Doris Bailey, John Lemon, Zellard(Cheryl) Lemon, and Thomas (Martha Ann) Lemon as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving relatives and friends.

I am at peace, my soul’s at rest. There is no need for tears.

The family will be receiving friends at the residence, 434 Second Street, Eutawville, South Carolina from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. daily.