Rev. Rolen Conway Bailey

The Reverend Rolen Conway Bailey, age 85, after surviving prostate cancer for 14 years, went to his heavenly home on Friday, July 5, 2013. He was born in Pulaski, Va. to the late John Chase Bailey and Mary Boyd Bailey. He is also predeceased by a baby daughter, Nancy Lou. He was a resident of Richmond and former resident of Roanoke and the Culpeper Baptist Retirement Community.

Surviving him are Frances (Stukie) Stuart Bailey, his wife for 61 years; daughter, Patricia Bailey Spragg (Don) of Midlothian; son, John Stuart Bailey (Meredith) of Midlothian; sister, Kathryn Bailey Bradley of Manakin-Sabot; two grandchildren, John Chase Bailey II, and Augusta Elizabeth Bailey of Culpeper; one step-granddaughter, Katharine Spragg Zolnai (Mike) and two step-great grandsons, Thomas Wendell and Matthew Zolnai of Richmond; nieces, Kay Bradley, Terry Farmer, Bradley Farmer, Parker Bradley; nephews, Lee Bradley, and his little buddy, Kole Bradley; his “adopted” daughter, Judy Koger, and several cousins.

Bailey was a graduate of Bassett High School, Mars Hill Junior College, University of Richmond, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He had a strong “call” from God to be a life-long Virginia Baptist minister. Bailey began preaching while in his teen years. While in college, he served as student pastor of several Baptist churches. His fulltime pastorates from 1952-1974 were Mentow and Palestine in Bedford County, Straightstone in Pittsylvania County, and Cave Spring in Roanoke. At Cave Spring he was named Pastor Emeritus.

In 1974 he was chosen to be the first Executive Director of the historic Roanoke Valley Baptist Association where he served for 15 years until his retirement in 1989. During those years, a partnership was formed with the Green Mountain Association of Vermont.

As a certified deacon trainer, Bailey served churches, district associations, and Baptist state conferences for 25 years. He also served as a trustee of the Religious Herald for 16 years. After retirement, he served five churches as Interim Pastor and supplied many other pulpits. He served over 8 years as a contract worker to start mission partnerships in Virginia and a partnership between Virginia and Pennsylvania/South Jersey Baptist Conventions.

After his pastorates, he was a member of Melrose Baptist - Roanoke, Culpeper Baptist, and Ridge Baptist - Richmond. In these churches, he was an active member on several committees, taught Sunday School, served as a deacon and was a very wise counselor and resource leader. His words of wisdom and humor meant much to all who knew him. He loved to encourage others in their church duties and spiritual growth, especially youth and young adults.

Bailey was also an active member of the Prostate Cancer Us Too! Support group which meets monthly at Ridge Baptist Church. While living at the Culpeper Baptist Retirement Community, he was very much involved in their activities.

Memorial gifts may be made to Culpeper Baptist Retirement Community Benevolent Fund at

Box 191, Culpeper, VA 22701.

The family will receive friends Monday, July 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, July 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road, Richmond 23229. Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, July 10 at 11 a.m. at Ridge Baptist Church, 1515 Eastridge Road, Richmond 23229. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, at 1:30 p.m. Condolences may be made to woodyfuneralhomeparham.com.