By Staff
BEAR GRASS — Mr. Clyde Buie Bailey, beloved father and loved and respected member of the Bear Grass Community, age 93, of 1090 South Rogers Street, Bear Grass departed this life on Monday, June 14, 2010.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Macedonia Christian Church, US Hwy 17, Williamston with ministers Dolan Baker, Greg Sexton, and Eric Woolard officiating. Burial will be at Martin Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Bailey was born on April 3, 1917 in the house that three generations of Baileys before him had been born. He was the sixth child of the late Warner Augustus and Allie Temperance Peel Bailey. He attended Bear Grass School. On August 9, 1942, he married Charlotte Evelyn Hodges of Bear Grass who preceded him in death in 2008, after 66 years together. Raised on the family farm, he worked and played with his brothers and sisters until at the age of 17, he took employment with Henry Harrison as a mechanic. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1942 and was honorably discharged in November, 1945. He came back to Bear Grass and returned to work at Harrison’s Garage continuing there until at the age of 83 he “retired”. Buie was a gifted “fixer” of every kind of machinery and apparatus.
Forward thinking and visionary, he helped spearhead the effort to have the Town of Bear Grass reincorporated. In 1961, in special legislation the charter was reactivated and he was appointed by the legislature as Mayor. He served in this office for 10 years. In 1964, he, along with a handful of other men, initiated the organization of the Bear Grass Township Volunteer Fire Department. Buie was chosen to serve as the Fire Chief. His dedication and commitment to the success of what is now, Bear Grass Fire Rescue is evidenced by the fact that all the past and present firemen refer to him as “Uncle Buie”. He was named Martin County Fireman of the Year in 1981. In 1984, the Bear Grass Ruritan Club awarded him the Outstanding Citizen Award for outstanding service 1965-1983. He served as Fire Chief for 19 years. The Bear Grass Fire Department awarded him and his “Evelyn” the “1992 Citizenship Award” in appreciation of the high standards and goals that they set for the members of the department to follow as well as for their dedication and service to the department. He was a faithful member of Macedonia Christian Church. His family was his pride and joy. He left a legacy of many precious and priceless memories.
Mr. Bailey was preceded in death by brothers, Clayton Bailey, Clarence Bailey, Robert Bailey and W.A. Bailey; sisters, Irene B. Whitaker, Lois B. Revels, and Elizabeth B. Roberson.
Survivors include three daughters, Charlotte Griffin Bowen and husband Daniel; Phyllis B. Respess and husband, Nolan, all of Bear Grass; and Marcia B. Luchs and husband, Jerry of Virginia Beach; four grandchildren, Jody Griffin and wife, Shelia; Wes Hughes and wife, Jaye; Casey H. Brewer and husband, Richard; and Jason Holliday; two great grandchildren, Bailey Jayne Hughes and Alexis Jade Brewer; sisters-in-law, Velma B. Bailey and Mary Lou Grooms.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bear Grass Fire Rescue Dept., 7890 Bear Grass Rd Williamston, NC 27892, or to Macedonia Christian Church, 7640 US Highway 17, Williamston, NC 27892.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Macedonia Christian Church, US Hwy 17, Williamston, NC, and other times at the home of Charlotte Griffin Bowen, 1136 Cherry Lane, Bear Grass, NC.
Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com
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