Kenneth Russell Bailey, LCDR (Ret) USN

High Flight
By John Gillespie Magee Jr.
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence, Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew,
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Kenneth Russell Bailey, LCDR (Ret.) USN, born July 8, 1930, died September 24, 2008 at Augusta VA Hospital, while in the loving arms of his wife Betty M. Bailey on their 32nd wedding anniversary.
He was raised in Tampa, Florida by his parents, Kenneth Russell Bailey Sr., originally of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, retiring from the First National Bank of Tampa after 44 years of service; and mother Frances of Lancaster, South Carolina, a homemaker.
Upon graduation from H. B. Plant High School at age 17, he joined the Air Force, where he served two years in the United States Air Force completing the Army Primary Flight Instruction at Hawthorne School of Aeronautics Spence Air Base in Moultrie. After which he joined the United States Navy. He earned his LTJG grade on December 12, 1955 at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. He retired January 31, 1970, after 20 years of service in the USN, concluding his service at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Commendations received while in service to his country: National Defense Service Medal; Presidential Citation: Air Medal 3 (representing three strike/flight awards) a meritorious achievement in aerial flight as an aircraft commander with the Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight in support of combat operations in South East Asia; Vietnam Campaign Medal; and Vietnam Service Medal. Designated a Patrol Plane Commander in EC-121 Model aircraft June 4, 1964, qualifying him for early warning missions. He also earned a B.S. Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1963 and completed Air Intercept Control Training (CIC) in 1965.
Though raised in a Christian home he was quick to say “he did not come to faith in the Lord until late in his mid-life.” As a jet fighter pilot he often made reference to the poem “High Flight” by John Gillespie Magee Jr. When he experienced breaking the sound barrier he said, “it was so awe inspiring he felt he could reach out and touch God.”
Following his military he served his family and community in several positions including, teaching, truck driving, bookkeeping and also as a courier. He often said “next to flying he loved driving a truck best. However, his most cherished service was to his God and his church serving as a Sunday school teacher at Emanuel Presbyterian Church in Riverdale.
His request was that this message be shared with family and friends that “he loved God, because God first loved him.” His last scripture reference written in his journal was: “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.” James 1: 18.
He is survived by his children, three daughters, Marcia Lynette Mais, Mary Grace Sabella, Alicia Ann Bailey; grandson, Jonathan Jeripet and Jeffrey Creel, all residing in Brandon, Florida; first cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Greene of Athens and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Greene of Lawrenceville; step-son Lon E. Davis, step-daughter and son-in-law, Bryan and Lovie McGiboney, all residing in Madison; step-grandson Michael J. Clevenger and two step-granddaughters, Elizabeth N. Spradlin and Rebecca K. Chapman; three step-great-grandchildren, Anna Leah Chapman 8, Sean O’Brian Chapman 5, and Sophia Anne Clevenger, 3 years old.
Funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 14 at A. E. Carter Funeral Home with Pastor Ron Swann of Brownwood Baptist Church in Madison and Pastor Chad Bailey of Rock Presbyterian Church in Stockbridge officiating. Interment was at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2617 Vinson Highway, Milledgeville.
A. E. Carter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Lonnie James Brown

Lonnie James Brown, 78, died October 9, 2008 at his home in Rutledge surrounded by his family. He was born October 2, 1930 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina to Drew and Claire Ganey Brown. He worked for many years as a truck driver. Most of that time he drove for Bowman Transport, where he was recognized for 23 years of safe driving. He also owned his trucks and drove until his health prohibited. He loved to tinker and rebuilt many starters and alternators at his shop. Mr. Brown loved his family and his church and also spending time with his Waffle House friends. He was a member of Centennial Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Christeen Poole Brown and their children, Barbara Bullock, Ronnie James Brown and Lorraine, Lonnie Wayne Brown and Judy and James David Brown and Nicole; a brother, Edward Brown and a sister, Corrine Self, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Centennial Baptist Church with interment in Rutledge Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Ricky Allgood, Frank Hall, Mike Johnson, David Howard, Tony Arthur and Johnny Thomason. Rev. Wilburn Hill and Rev. Wayne Ghann officiated.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or Gideon’s International.
A. E. Carter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.