Thomas Michael Bayless

Thomas Michael “Mike” Bayless, slipped from this earth into the arms of Jesus, on Monday night, January 5, 2026 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his family. Mike was born in Memphis, TN on December 9,1955 to his parents Ruth Marie Fitzgerald Bayless and the late Thomas Raymond Bayless. His father was in the U.S. Marines and so the family moved around the country all throughout his childhood. Upon his father’s retirement, the family moved to New Albany, MS, his parents’ hometown, while Mike was in high school. Mike graduated from W.P. Daniel High School in New Albany, MS. He worked on his 50th reunion committee a few years back and was so excited to reconnect with high school classmates and friends. Mike furthered his education at then Northeast Mississippi Junior College in Booneville, MS, where he made lifelong friends. While at Northeast Mike was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Mike completed a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS. While his love for the Bulldogs was quite evident to all who knew him, he almost became a Rebel instead. He went through the enrollment process and had a dorm assignment at Ole Miss before deciding to go to State because that’s where all his friends were going. While at State, Mike was co-founder of Phi Theta Kappa alumni chapter that still exists today and was a member of Circle K, collegiate branch of Kiwanis Club. He was also a member of Farmhouse social fraternity and was still in touch with many of his Farmhouse brothers.

Mike was a CPA and began his career in 1977 with the audit practice of Ernst and Young, in Memphis, TN. In 1989, Mike joined Lichterman Shoe Company as Chief Financial Officer. In 1996 he left Lichterman and became Corporate Controller at AOC, LLC. In 2015 Mike was promoted to Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. His 23 years spent at AOC were the favorite years of his career. Mike retired in 2019 and had intended to do volunteer work at St. Jude and had been speaking to Union University about teaching some accounting classes at their local branch. Unfortunately, the pandemic in 2020 put an end to his plans and he struggled at first with not having anything productive to do, after working so hard for 42 years, but he finally settled into a groove and often commented that he had become quite good at doing nothing.

Mike and Donna began a home building adventure about 4 years ago. Upon starting the process Mike quickly switched from retirement back to accountant mode. He took all the meetings with the builder unless it involved design, he tracked every single expense down to the penny, paid all the bills and could probably tell you how much was spent on nails for the home. (There’s a spreadsheet for that!)

Mike led with integrity and he was an ethical, dedicated and hard worker, trying to provide the best he could for his family that he loved so much. While he had many accomplishments here on earth, the greatest decision he made was to give his heart to

Jesus and knowing that, the family takes great comfort in knowing Mike is now in Heaven with Him and that they will see Mike again one day. Mike would love nothing more than for anyone who doesn’t know Jesus to find Him as a result of his death. Mike was a member of Longview Point Baptist Church and previously Boulevard Baptist Church for many years.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 35 years, Donna King Bayless of Hernando, MS, sons, Justin and his wife Lauren of Nesbit, MS and Colby of Hernando, MS. He was known as GranGran to his 3 grandchildren Will, Emersyn and Brooks, whom he loved with all his heart. His favorite thing was supporting them in their activities. He rarely missed a game. He is also survived by his mother Marie Bayless of New Albany, MS. Because Mike was an only child he cherished his relationships with his first cousins – Janet, Rebecca, Brenda, David and Keith. He leaves behind countless other family and friends who loved him including his buds at the Friday “Old Man” Breakfast.

Visitation for family and friends will be Friday, January 9, from 5-7 pm at Brantley Funeral Home, 6875 Cockrum Rd, Olive Branch, MS. Celebration of Life Service will be Saturday January 10 at 11 am at Longview Point Baptist Church, 1100 McIngvale Road, Hernando, MS.