H. Bailey Stone Jr.

H. Bailey Stone Jr, born in 1930 in Houston, Texas, went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on August 26, 2016.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Bailey Stone, Sr. and Elizabeth Ballard Stone.

Bailey became a Christian at 16 years of age as a result of the witness of a special friend at San Jacinto High School, Henry SoRelle and his father, A.C. SoRelle, Sr. During his high school years, he was presented the award for most outstanding athlete and was known for his Christian character among many athletes.

It was shortly after his conversion to Christianity that Bailey surrendered his life to the ministry of God’s Word.

He chose Baylor University instead of accepting several scholarships to play football because he felt the need to study the Bible in a Christian school. While he was speaking at Second Baptist Church of Houston, his parents accepted Christ as Savior and became dynamic Christians.

After graduating from Baylor he attended and graduated from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas.

It was while in seminary he met Joyce Pearson who was a senior at Baylor. They married in 1954.

Bailey was in full-time evangelism for years before becoming pastor of Longview Heights Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.

In 1962 he moved back to Texas with Joyce and their three sons where he served as pastor of First Baptist of McKinney from 62’ to ’69. Pastor of First Baptist of Bryan from ’69 to ’78 and as pastor of First Baptist of Odessa for fourteen years ’78 to ‘92.

In 1992 he became Director of Evangelism of the Baptist General convention of Texas. Evangelism was always his passion.

In 2001, Bailey “retired” from Baptist Convention but his ministry continued throughout the United States and countries abroad, including Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Peru, Hong Kong, Alaska, Australia, and Columbia. He never lost his zeal to witness to others about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

One of his greatest joys was to return to Odessa to become interim pastor at First Baptist where he served for another two years. The church honored him by making him Pastor Emeritus.

He also served on the Board of Trustees at Hardin-Simmons University for eleven years from which he received the Doctorate of Divinity Degree.

Bailey is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joyce Pearson Stone, and three sons: Bailey III and wife Maria, of Coppell, Texas, Tim of Nashville, Tennessee, and John and wife Robin of Huntsville, Alabama; his grandchildren, Harrison and Abigail of Huntsville, Alabama; and Margaret and Reagan of Coppell, Texas; a cousin, Susan Scott of Monaville, Texas.

We, his family and loved ones, sorrow deeply, but “not as those who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13), For we know we will be forever with Him and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who made it possible for us to have this hope.

Services will be held at Prestonwood Baptist Chapel, 6801 W. Park Blvd, Plano, Texas 75093 at 10:00 AM Friday, September 2.

Memorials may be sent to: Salvation Army, 5302 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75235; Prison Fellowship, 44180 Riverside Parkway, Leesburg, VA 20176; Dallas Life, P.O. Box 130116, Dallas, Texas 75221.