I can’t say for sure when I first met “Mayor” Michael Bailey, but I believe it might have been at one of WMRD’s Saturday night singings.
Michael was a unique person, with an unquenchable desire to sing, praise God, and socialize within our community. He always had a smile on his face, a joke to tell, and a song on his heart.
Meeting Michael was one of many reasons that I soon grew to love Union County and call it my home. Not only because of who he was, but also the wonderful way this community embraced him, enabling him to accomplish so much good with and for those in need.
The warmth that exuded from him was contagious and it just made people feel good to be around him. We were all bereaved by his untimely death; however, rather than focus on our loss, I invite you to focus on his light and life and what we can all learn from his example. Following are just a few of the many contributions from people whose lives he touched who had warm words to say about Michael.
He was such a pure soul. His presence will definitely be missed. – Alice M.
My husband and I grow Grainger County tomatoes. I deliver to Food City twice a week. I got acquainted with Michael there. Always had a smile and if he was there when I was, he’d tell me “Here’s the mater lady.” I looked forward to seeing him when I delivered. He was such a sweet soul. God puts special people in our lives to be able to see goodness and genuine love of friendship and fellowship. He sure did that through all his friends from that store. – Karen C.
He was an Angel sent to walk this earth from the moment he was given his purpose through the Holy Spirit!! His life is a testimony of Love, kindness, long suffering, gentleness, faithfulness, humble, patience! What a beautiful soul! God is glorified through Michael all his days. We were so blessed to have known him. Thank you Lord for Michael Wayne Bailey. It’s been an honor to have known your faithful servant. Kathy H.
Dr. Ronnie Mincey shares: “He was a sensitive person who loved practically everyone he knew. He was a fountain of unofficial information, very often speedier and more trustworthy than bona fide news media.”
If you grew up in Union County, you likely knew Michael Bailey. Thank you for always cheering us on in youth sports. You were always catching games, giving high-fives and cheering loud. Thank you for always smiling and waving. Thank you for always being awesome to us kids bagging groceries at Hensley’s IGA. Thank you for telling people about Jesus. Rest in glory with Jesus brother. We’ll see you again one day. – Nick M.
“I just found out that this sweet kind soul left us today. Michael’s kindness and love was infectious and we all could learn a lesson in kindness and love from him. It breaks my heart to know he is gone but I smile to know that his earthly chains will no longer bind him down.” – Maynardville Mayor Ty Blakely
”You expect the death of a family member or close friend to be hard, someone who has been in your life for a long time or every day. I never imagined the death of Michael would affect me like it has. But the truth is, Michael was a part of my everyday life. Not because of anything I did. He made the effort to reach out and to check on me, every single day. There was always a Hello, Good Morning, and I love you. He would message me and make sure I made it home from church and tell me to be careful. I know I was not the only person he did this for. I wasn't anything particularly special in his life. Yet, he still without any regard to what I could do for him or give back to him, made me feel special. Michael thought of me every day and made it known … I want to just tell him how much I loved him too and how much he taught me in such a short period of time. I also know that any love I have to offer is utterly small in comparison to the love he is surrounded by now…. I am thankful I was given the chance to get to know Michael and I hope I can show someone else the kind of love he showed me, and so many more. I look forward to the day I'm singing the song of victory with Michael, for our Savior! This scripture puts me in mind of Michael - Matthew 22:36-40
”Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” – Dawn R.
Like so many others in our community, I enjoyed knowing Michael Bailey. I loved his ever-present and contagious smile, his deep heart for helping those in need, his love for singing praises to the Lord, and his sense of humor. During his time at Willow Ridge, he made his rounds with the staff and tickled me with his joking about Rebecca Mills and I having the same last name “Park 9.” I have read that “True leaders have a servant’s heart.” What a wonderful world this could be if we all could follow Michael’s shining example of what a serving spirit looks like.