Elon F. Bailey

Elon F. Bailey Sylacauga - Elon F. Bailey, age 94, of Sylacauga, AL passed away Friday, March 8, 2013.  Services will be conducted Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at Radney-Smith Chapel.  Interment will be at Green Hill Cemetery in Childersburg, AL. He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas Patrick and Clara Barton Bailey of Wedowee, AL. He is also preceded in death by 4 brothers and 5 sisters.Born in Wedowee, AL, April 5, 1918, he was a 1938 graduate of Randolph County High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education in 1949 and a Masters of Agriculture Education in 1959 from Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn, AL.Mr. Bailey spent thirty years as an educator and teacher, beginning his career in 1950 in Talladega County, AL. He began his high school teaching career in 1955 serving as a Vocational Agricultural teacher at schools in   Columbiana, AL, Louisville, AL, Notasulga, AL, and Dooly County, Georgia. Mr. Bailey touched the lives of many young men and women. He was an instructor and leader for the student chapters of the Future Farmers of America and he devoted his life to helping young students prepare for careers and life.  He was a veteran of the US Army, honorably discharged from the 721st Ordnance Company,  Americal Division, and served for 3 ½ years in the South Pacific theatre during World War II.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sarah Strong Bailey of Sylacauga, AL., sons Steve (Shirley) Bailey of Shelby, AL and Dan (Susan) Bailey of Hendersonville, TN; grandchildren Leslie (Ben) Finger of Marietta Georgia, Jason (Caryn) Bailey of Aliso Viejo, California, Lorri (Rob) Eggink of Shasta, California and Karla (Joshua) Stafford of Nashville, TN; great-grandchildren Brendan, Colin and Donovan Finger, Josh and Cate Bailey, Sadie and Wes Eggink. Mr. Bailey was an active member of the Broadway Church of Christ in Sylacauga, AL.Visitation will be Sunday, March 10, 2013 from 1:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Radney-Smith Funeral Home.Pallbearers will be Jason Bailey, Ben Finger, Joshua Stafford, Frank Green, Andy Stockwell, and Ted Collins.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. Bailey’s memory to Americal Division Veterans Association,  ADVA Scholarship Fund, c/o Ronald R. Ellis, 4493 Highway 64 West, Henderson, TX 75652.Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneysmith.com.Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, AL will direct the services.