Ernest “Sonny” Eual Bailey, 87, died Thursday February 16, 2017 at home in Maben, MS. He was predeceased by his first wife Peggy Ann Wilson Bailey in 1980, his second wife Flora Jones Cross Bailey in 2003, and his granddaughter Bailey Alexandra Carswell in 2015. Mr. Bailey leaves his wife Daisy Keel Bailey, daughters Peggy Irene Bailey Ervin, Donna Bailey Robinson, Debbie Bailey Carswell, stepson John Robert Cross, 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Born in Natchez, MS in 1930, Ernest was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Eual Bailey, Sr., although Mr. Bailey, Sr. never met his adopted son. The elder Ernest died April 1, 1930 of lung damage, after having been “gassed” in France while serving his country in WWI. He had met his future wife Dessie Irene Robinson Bailey, an army nurse, in a hospital where he was being treated for his injuries. After his death, Mrs. Bailey and her sister “Aunt Sadie” reared little Ernest in Caledonia, MS. When Ernest was 18, he lost his adopted mother when she died suddenly of a brain hemorrhage.

Upon graduating from Caledonia High School, Ernest enrolled at Mississippi State University, graduating with a B.S. degree in Chemistry but not before interrupting his studies to serve his country in Korea. He married Peggy Ann Wilson in 1952 and began a family. During his 36 years of employment with the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory, he continued to serve his country in the National Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and Army Reserve. Upon his retirement from military service, he had achieved the rank of Colonel. He was also a 33rd degree mason at the Starkville Masonic Lodge and a member of Scottish Rites.

Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, MS. Funeral services are scheduled for Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville and burial will follow in Memorial Garden Park Cemetery.