Tom Brown Bailey

Funeral Services will be held 1:00PM Friday 1/13/23 at First Baptist Church in Eupora, MS with burial in Ebenezer Cemetery in Webster County, MS. Visitation will be 6:00PM until 8:00PM Thursday 1/12/23 at Oliver Funeral Home and 12 Noon until 1:00PM Friday 1/13/23 at First Baptist Church in Eupora, MS. Tom Brown Bailey was born May 15, 1935 in Eupora, MS to Charlie Kennedy Bailey and Georgia Carey Brown Bailey. He passed away at home, January 9, 2023, surrounded by family. Mr. Bailey was a 1953 graduate of Eupora High School. He had many first jobs before his lifelong career in retail. While he worked in many retail chain stores, he really enjoyed working at Stein Mart. He retired from retail in 2001. Retirement didn’t last long. Along came opportunities to work part time at such places as Rea Brothers Mid South Auction (Jackson), Tru-Care Medical (Eupora) and Oliver Funeral Home (Eupora). He was very much a people person. Never meeting a stranger. Finally, he retired for the last time at the age of 85. In 1958, Mr. Bailey met Maxie Crockett and the two married in 1960. He is survived by his wife, Maxie Crockett Bailey and three children, Pete Bailey (Sheila), Christie Bailey Colvin (Rob), and Gaylynn Bailey McHann (Donnie) along with a sister, Sue Bailey Keen and a brother-in-law, James R. Crockett (Dorothy). He leaves four grandchildren, Bailey Colvin Smith (Bryan), Katie Bailey Abner (Max), Mary Gates Colvin Baucom (Jonathon), Wil Bailey (fiancé Sarah Zolcak), one great grandchild Latham McNeer Smith along with a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers – Alvis Boyd Bailey and Charles Bruce Bailey, sisters – Ouida Bailey Peery, Malloy Bailey Reed, Charlene Bailey Floyd Dean and Tillie Bailey Bowman, parents-in-law Gaylen R. Crockett and Winnie Gates Crockett (he affectionally called her Mother) and sisters-in-law – Betty Crockett Tickell and Ruby Crockett Brooks. Mr. Bailey was a Baptist by faith. He served as a Deacon and in other capacities while attending Baptist churches in Philadelphia, MS, Greenville, MS and Eupora, MS. Yet, he was best known as the Candy Man. He loved handing out candy to all the children at church. At the time of his passing, he was an active member of First Baptist Church of Eupora. Funeral Services were held 1:00PM Friday 1/13/23 at First Baptist Church in Eupora, MS with burial in Ebenezer Cemetery in Webster County, MS. Rev. Travis Gray officiated. Pallbearers were Craig Crockett, Ray Bailey, Arnett Peery, Jason Fields, Pete Bailey and Bill Yates. Honorary pallbearers- Crusaders Sunday School Class, Clyde Patterson, James Davis & LA Owen. Memorials can be sent to the Mississippi Baptist Children's Village or the Operation Christmas Child Fund @ First Baptist Eupora, MS. The family would like to thank all of the wonderful people who helped take care of our husband/father. He was kept happy and comfortable. He passed away exactly how he wished