Jeffery Bailey, son of Jane S. Bailey and the late George Kellam, was born on July 18, 1957 in Melfa, Virginia. He departed this life on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 5:23 pm at his mother’s residence, after enduring a lingering illness.
“Jeff,” as he was fondly known, received his education in the Accomack County Public School System. He graduated from Central High School, “Home of the Bulldogs,” in Painter, Virginia in 1976. After graduation, Jeffery decided to spread his wings and join the United States Army. He served his country for three years and was honorably discharged in 1979. Not long after, he entered the Eastern Shore Community College in Melfa, Virginia, where he completed the Welding program. He worked in the welding field for many years in Salisbury, Maryland.
While in Salisbury, Jeffery married Rosie Reid, his high school sweetheart. This union was blessed with two children, Shykinya and Jeffery Antwan. Jeff was very proud of his children and he always encouraged them to work hard and be successful. In 1992, Jeffery and Rosie relocated to Ohio. There he gained employment with Effox Steel Company, where he was the supervisor of the tin capsule department until his health began to fail.
At an early age, Jeff joined St. Paul AME Church under the leadership of Rev. W. J. Tomlin. He remained a member until he moved to Ohio. There, he attended Ebenezer Baptist Church. Jeff loved his family and loved to go “home” for the holidays. He was a jovial person and always kept a smile on his face. When he was around everyone knew they would get a good laugh and hear tons of childhood stories. Jeff loved football and basketball, his favorite teams were the Washington Redskins, North Carolina Tarheels, and Philadelphia 76ers. He truly enjoyed fishing, hunting, visiting the horse track, camping, and cooking, especially at the family reunion.
In April, Jeff decided to come home, so his mother, sisters, brother, and nephew traveled to Ohio to be with him. After a week-long stay and consulting with his medical team, he began his journey home. During the trip, he ate a lot and talked about how he had traveled over the highways and byways from Ohio to Virginia. He joked about the weather and talked about the mountains, winding hills, and pit stops. In Charlottesville, he would stop at Johnny Boys to rest his legs. He thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
Upon his arrival at his mother’s residence, the whole team showed up to help, Alvin Bailey, Claude & Toni Reid, Angela Orelien, Angela Kellam, Freda Byrd, Valerie Finney, Sandra Diaz, Alice Bratton, Edward & Una Tucker, and Melissa Bailey. They provided support whenever it was needed, and their generosity, love, care, and concern will never be forgotten. We love you and Jeff showed you how much he needed you by saying, “yes or nodding,” at times even screaming when we were too loud or noisy. To know Jeff was to love him. His dedication to his family and friends will be truly missed by all whom he came in contact with and whose lives he touched!
Jeff was preceded in death by his father, George Tom Kellam; brothers, Reid Bailey, Anthony Kellam, and John F. K. Bailey; mother-in-law, Dorothy Reid; and father-in-law, John Reid. He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife of twenty-six years, Rosie Reid; daughter, Shykinya; son Jeffery Antwan; mother, Jane S. Bailey; brothers and sisters, Vyvonne (Willie) McNeill, Kathy Parker, Cleophus (Gail) Bailey, Joy (Clifford) Patterson, Wendy (Frederick) Ballard, Renell (Rufus) Beach, Steve (Cassandra) Bailey, Hope (Julius) Hammond, Keith (Andrea) Bailey, Angela Kellam (Clark Myers), Derek Kellam, Beverly Sample, Freda Byrd, Kim (Denise) Wilson, Robert Kellam, Gregory (Patricia) Copes, Gail (Keith) Sharper, and Patricia (David) Humphrey; one uncle, Willie (Carry) Bailey; three sisters-in-law, Betty Bailey, Emma Savage, and Michelle Reid; seven brothers-in-law, Larry Reid, Eddie Reid, Tony Reid, Timmy Reid, John Reid, Claude Reid, and Johnny Reid; and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.
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