Gene Bailey

CAMP CREEK - Gene Bailey, age 89, went to heaven on September 8, 2022. He was the son of the late Forrest and Ruth Bailey, the grandson of the late Gilbert and Stella Bailey, and brother to the late Ron Bailey (wife Nancy Bailey) and Anne Bailey O'quinn (late husband, Chester O'quinn). He was a Christian who loved his family, his God, and his church, Melrose Community Church.
Gene married Elizabeth Brock Bailey while the two were still attending Princeton High School.
Their 49 years of marriage blessed them with four children, Steve Bailey (married to the late Ruth Bailey), Sonya Shrewsberry (married to Stephen Shrewsberry), Sabrina Mick, and the late Sara Stevens. In addition to his three living children, Gene loved his son-in-law, Dave Stevens (married to Tammy Stevens), as his own. The Gene Bailey family continues to grow through 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Gene lived a life devoted to the good of his family, students and friends, in whom he instilled a love of God, country, education, travel, nature, and service. He was deeply proud of his Bailey family history, dating back to the 18th century, and his ancestors who were among the earliest settlers to the Mercer County area.
Gene exemplified a remarkable career in public service. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1951, after a stellar football career as an All-State lineman. In 1957, he graduated from Concord College with degrees in education and biology.
Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Gene helped manage Christmas tree farms for local physician and conservationist, Dr. Dan Hale. In the early 1970's, Gene began teaching a new program entitled Ornamental Horticulture at the Mercer County Tech Ed. Center. From that program he moved to Oakvale School where he taught social studies, WV history, and civics. Gene continued to teach until his retirement in 1991.
In addition to his full-time careers, Gene was elected to the Princeton City Council in 1978, where he served as a member and as Mayor of Princeton. His dedicated service there helped secure funding for Princeton Community Hospital.
In 1982, Gene was elected to the WV House of Delegates where he served for 8 years. Gene co-wrote legislation to improve the education system, tirelessly advocating for teachers and students. His work helped initiate the Faculty Senate and School Improvement Councils.
From July, 1994 until June, 2022, Gene served the citizens of Mercer County on the Mercer County Board of Education. During his 28 years of service, many improvements were made to the schools.
Also, during this time, Gene moved from Princeton to his land in Camp Creek, WV, to operate his own Christmas Tree Farm, Bluestone Nursery. As a tree grower, Gene served as president and newsletter editor for the WV Christmas Tree Growers' Association. One of his trees was selected as the WV Grand Champion Tree and displayed in the White House during Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency. Gene's tree farm has continued to impact his family and the community, as he taught his children and grandchildren the Christmas Tree business, and provided trees for hundreds of families every year. Bluestone Nursery has become a yearly holiday tradition for many families, who return to the farm to find their own special Christmas tree, renew friendships and make memories.
Throughout his many endeavors Gene was always a planter of seeds. Whether in his home, his tree fields, the classroom, or the capital building, his vision was consistently looking to the good of the next generation. The deep roots of Gene Bailey's life continue to blossom into new growth through his family, his students, and his community.
The viewing and visitation for the Homecoming Celebration will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton from 1:30 until 4:30 p.m.
It will be followed by the Homecoming Celebration of Gene's life at 4:30 p.m.
The burial will be held on Friday, September 16th at 10:00 a.m. at The Pisgah Community Church cemetery on the Pisgah Road, Princeton, WV.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: Elizabeth Bailey & Sara Stevens Scholarship Fund, Concord University, P.O. Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712 or to Melrose Community Church, 228 Eads Mill Road, Princeton, WV 24739.
Arrangements by Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.bailey-kirk.com.