MAX EDWARD BAILEY – April 29, 1951-November 28, 2018
Max Edward Bailey passed away November 28, 2018, surrounded by family, after a heroic battle with cancer. A lifelong Polk County resident, Max was born April 29, 1951 to Reverend Loyd Roberson Bailey and Mamie Barnett Bailey. He graduated from Polk Central High School and served in the Army National Guard.
A skilled craftsman, his working days were spent building and remodeling homes and woodworking in the Western North Carolina area. His portfolio included restoration work on two historical buildings in McDowell County, one of which was featured in national magazines and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Max was a talented musician, singer and songwriter. Jam sessions with him were pure enjoyment for both audience and fellow players. He enjoyed gospel, bluegrass, folk, and southern rock; Nascar, Braves baseball, and the NFL; and fixing up and driving classic cars from the 60s and 70s.
A proud and fiercely loving father, Max instilled the work ethic in his children that he received from his parents growing up on the farm. He treated others with respect, generosity, and a deep empathy. Everyone he met – whether through business, at a social gathering, even at the grocery store – found a friend. Weekends were spent with upkeep and improvements to the home he built, and often doing some free repair work for someone in need. His church was being in the woods on Sunday morning.
In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by his brother Tony and sister Beryl; sister-in-law Estelle and brother-in-law J.T.
He is survived by his son, Seth Bailey of San Rafael, CA; daughters Sarah Bailey of Austin, TX, Jennifer Bailey of Mill Spring, and Vanessa Morris of Harris; granddaughters Amelia, Lillian, and Scarlett; brother Arthur Bailey of Mill Spring; sisters Bertha Bailey, Norma Bailey Williams, and Patricia (Sis) Bailey Moore of Rutherfordton; nephew Lewis and niece Tammy; several great nieces and nephews; Margaret Dalton and her family; and too many friends to count.
He was a good man.
Visitation: Friday November 30th 5-7pm at Crowe’s Mortuary
Funeral: Saturday December 1st 11am at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Polk County Line Road
Remembrances may be made in the form of flowers, donations to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, or as the giver sees fit.