Former Sheriff J. Glenn Bailey, 82, a lifelong resident of Columbia County, died Sunday morning, May 17, 2009 at his residence of complications that occurred with an extended illness. Born October 22, 1926 in the Ellisville region of Columbia County, he was the son of the late Leland & Lila Farnell Bailey. He attended and graduated from the Mason City School and then went on to serve in W.W. II in the United States Army. Upon returning from the service Mr. Bailey met and married Miss Helen Lane (September 1949). He was a farmer by day and worked the night shift at the Columbia County Jail for more than twenty years. In the early 1970's Mr. Bailey served as Chief Deputy to then Sheriff Harry Spradley before taking the office of Sheriff of Columbia County in July of 1974. An office he held until December of 1980. Mr. Bailey was a faithful and active member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort White until his ill health. He served for many years on the Board of Directors of the First Federal Savings Bank and was a Past Master of the Cherry Hill Lodge #12 of Free and Accepted Masons. He was a current member of the Lake City Lodge #27 of Free and Accepted Masons, York and Scottish Rite Bodies and was a member of the Morocco Shrine Temple. Mr. Bailey was an avid hunter and fisherman and he loved to spend time in his garden. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Robert Bailey; his son, Robert Bailey and his daughter, Gretchen Bailey.
Mr. Bailey is survived by his wife of sixty years, Helen Lane Bailey; two grandsons, Matt Bailey and Charlie Bailey both of Fort White; a great-grand daughter, Courtney Lane Bailey; a sister, Rosa Bailey Koon of Lake City and a special aunt, Cloree Bailey of Ellisville. Other family members and friends also survive.
Funeral services with Departmental Honors will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, May 21, 2009 in the First United Methodist Church of Fort White with Pastor David Kirk officiating. Interment will follow in the Fort White Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the Chapel of the Dees-Parrish Family Funeral Home from 5-7:00 Wednesday evening. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Haven Hospice of the Suwannee Valley, 6037 U.S. Hwy 90 West, Lake City, FL� 32055. Arrangements are under the direction of DEES-PARRISH FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 458 South Marion Avenue, Lake City, Florida 32025
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