Joseph John Bailey

Joe was born on February 11, 1956, in Baton Rouge, was raised in both Broussard and in Baton Rouge, and graduated from Catholic High School in 1974. He got a degree in chemical engineering from LSU in 1979, and in the same year he married Belle Bush, with whom he had a daughter, Jennifer Bailey Watson. Joe then worked for chemical companies in Texas and Louisiana for several years before returning to LSU to complete an M.B.A. degree in 1986 and a J.D. degree in 1989. Following his graduation, Joe’s uncle, Buddy Reeder, encouraged Joe to move to Alexandria, Louisiana. Following his uncle’s advice, Joe accepted a position at the Alexandria law firm of Provosty, Sadler, DeLaunay, Fiorenza & Sobel, where he worked until his retirement from practice in 2021. Joe served as President and Vice President of the firm during his tenure at the firm. His practice areas included Environmental Litigation, Worker’s Compensation, and Commercial Litigation.

In addition to his legal practice, Joe served as the Section Chief for the Environmental Law Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association in 2006. He was also a member of the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel; the Central Louisiana Pro-Bono Project; the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry; and the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce. Along with his law partner Brad Calvit, Joe served as a Moot Court Coach for teams of students at Menard High School in Alexandria. Their teams twice reached the State finals. Following the death of Belle in 2014, Joe returned to Baton Rouge, where he married Sharon Furrate Bailey and became a stepfather to her son, Timothy Cameron Furrate.

A true Louisianian, Joe grew up enjoying crawfish boils, LSU sports, and water skiing on the Amite River with his cousins. As an adult, Joe enjoyed playing his guitar, playing tennis with friends at Bocage Racquet Club, riding motorcycles, and cooking, especially Lebanese food, which reflected his love for and pride in his Lebanese heritage. Joe especially enjoyed sharing his excellent food (particularly his homemade kibbeh, stuffed grape leaves, and spaghetti and meatballs) with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Sharon Furrate Bailey; daughter, Jennifer Bailey Watson and stepson, Timothy Cameron Furrate, Joe is survived by his brother, David Bailey and his wife Kim; nephews, Michael and Scott Bailey; numerous cousins and other family members.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Belle Bush Bailey and his parents, John Herbert Bailey and Marilyn Anne Hannie.

A mass of Christian burial will take place at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Baton Rouge on Monday, June 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. with visitation preceding the service at 9:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Society of St. Vincent De Paul in Baton Rouge, or to a charity of your choice.