Delma L. "Shorty" Bailey, 76, of Tifton died Sunday, June 21, 2009, at Irwin County Hospital in Ocilla. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. James Irions and Rev. Glenn Fussell will officiate with burial to follow in Tift Memorial Gardens. Gordon Pearce, Christopher Pearce, Clay McMillan and Michael Corrie will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Bailey was born on December 22, 1932 in Ocilla and was the son of Sebron W. Bailey and Angline R. Hickman Bailey, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Herbert Bailey, Edward and James Bailey; and two sisters, Myrtice E. Goodman and Thelma T. Walker. He was a retired truck driver and a veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Mr. Bailey is survived by two sons and one daughter-in-law, Lester and Lisa Bailey of Mobile, Alabama and Roy Lee Bailey of Tifton; one daughter and son-in-law, Catherine Denise and Gordon Pearce of Valdosta; one sister, Betty Lou Dyess of Houston, Texas; twelve grandchildren, Misty McMillian, Clay McMillian, Samantha McMillian, Christopher Pearce, Michael Corrie, Josh Bailey, Brianne Bailey, Jenny Lynn Bailey, Autumn Bailey, Julianne Bailey, Adam Bailey and Daniel Bailey; five great grandchildren, Hunter Byrne, Bay’Leigh McMillan, Kaylee Brown, Lilli Brown and Clay McMillian, Jr.; and several nieces and nephews.