Ray Bailey

Ray Bailey, age 84 of Brandon, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, December 11, 2020.

A Celebration of Life will be 3:00pm Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon with Rev. Scott Ross officiating and Jonathan Henderson singing. Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Gardens. Visitation will start at 1:00pm and end at 3:00pm. Pallbearers will be Connor Bailey, Michael Bailey, Sean Welch, Justin Welch, Noah Welch, and Camden Welch.

Ray was born September 6, 1936 in Jackson, MS to Oliver Ray Bailey and Fern Bailey. He was a graduate of Central High School, Hinds Community College, and Jackson School of Law, now Mississippi College School of Law. Ray started his career at Deposit Guaranty Bank and was also Assistant Secretary of State head of corporation division for many years. Upon his retirement from public service he started a corporate servicing company, Ray Bailey and Associates, which he operated with his daughter before retiring to become a fulltime grandfather. Ray was a member of Crossgates Baptist Church. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, fishing when he could and spending time with his beloved grandchildren who called him Ray Ray.

He was a 50-year member of the Mississippi Bar Association which he was admitted to in 1970. Ray served as president of the IACA, International Association of Corporate Administrators in 1998, hosting their convention that year in Mississippi. He also served as President of Reservoir Lions Club and was active in various other organizations, including the JAYCEES.

Ray is survived by his wife Melva Bailey of Brandon; his daughter, Lisa Carole Bailey (Craig) of Madison; three grandchildren, Connor, Ava and Hudson Bailey of Madison; two stepsons, Sean Welch(Emilye) of Madison and Justin Welch of Brandon; one nephew, Michael Bailey of Madison; and two nieces, Jeanette Bailey Newsome and Claire Bailey Kramer, both of the Houston, TX area, as well as 8 great nieces, 2 great nephews and 4 step grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Jackie Bailey and Jimmy Bailey.

He often told his wife and daughter that the important thing to him was that he knew Jesus and knew where he was spending eternity. His greatest wish was to be sure all of his grandchildren would be in heaven with him.