Earl Lamont Bailey

Earl Lamont Bailey, who would have turned 87 on May 25th, was born in Malden, West Virginia, in 1936, to Mary Alma Hastings Bailey and Earl H. Bailey. He grew to be a person of integrity and dignity who loved and cared for his family and friends throughout his long life. His family moved across the river to Kanawha City when he was a youngster where he attended elementary and secondary schools. This bright, polite, well-mannered boy first encountered life in a big community by delivering newspapers on his bicycle after school. He graduated from Charleston High School in 1954 and went on to West Virginia University graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science. He became an elementary and secondary school Science teacher. The family moved to Teays Valley in Mason County in the early 60’s, and he chose to attend Marshall University in nearby Huntington to pursue his Master’s Degree in the Sciences. In 1968, the Baileys moved to Florida where Mont continued teaching in secondary schools. He retired from Pinellas County School System in 2004; however, he continued to teach at St. Petersburg College for several more years. He was known to his friends and acquaintances as “Mont”; however, his family nickname was “Buck”, a name that was bestowed upon him at birth by his maternal grandfather, John Henry Hastings, whose ancestor was a pioneer in the upper Kanawha Valley of West Virginia.

Classical and religious music was a big part of Mont’s life, and he excelled in piano and organ. He displayed his musical skills playing for his church until September of 2020 when a fall at his home in Clearwater resulted in the loss of his left leg and declining health. Long months in rehabilitation facilities ended on his birthday in 2021 when he returned home to his beautiful cat, Jazzy. Caregivers around the clock helped him maintain his life through two hard years of repeated health issues that ravished his body, but did not tarnish his good humor and love of life.

Mont requested that his ashes be interred next to his parents at Sylvan Abbey. The date for a Memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Buck was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Dr. Mary Carol Markin, PhD., who also dedicated her life to the education of children, but had none of her own. He is survived by cousins, Maryanne B. Danner, Gary A. Blackhurst, Terrie Lynn Gilbert, their children and grandchildren, all of West Virginia, and cousins, Bill and Peg Gotschall and their family of Land o’ Lakes, Florida; devoted friends, Dena and Shawn Lowery and Elmer Kay whose friendship and love made Buck’s life a joy; loving neighbors, Tom and Mary Ann Klein and Pastor Jerry Rittenhouse of Coastal Community Church, plus a host of medical personnel who cared and treated him over these last years of life and were his “team”. The family’s heartfelt thanks and admiration is extended to long time caregiver, Paul Sanchez, whose attentive, tender loving care and loyal friendship made Buck’s life easier and comfortable whatever his health circumstances. Special gratitude is extended to the medical professionals who have had occasion to treat Earl Lamont Bailey over the last few years. Their interest, compassion, and professionalism will always have the gratitude of family and friends.

…….SO…….enjoy your chariot ride, sweet Buck !.......we will love you and miss you as we wait for our own chariot ride to see you again……………

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sylvanabbey.com for the Bailey family.