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Obituary for Gilbert Bailey Powell, Sr.
Gilbert Bailey Powell, Sr., 91, died on Saturday, August 27, 2022, in Asbury Hospice House, Hattiesburg, MS. The funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, August, 30, 2022, in Alta Woods Baptist Church, 168 Colonial Drive, Jackson, MS. The family will receive visitors beginning at 10:00 AM with the service to follow at 11:00 AM. A private burial will held in Lakewood Memorial Park, 6000 Clinton Boulevard, Jackson.
Bailey is survived by his three devoted children: son, Gilbert “Gil” B. Powell, Jr. and his wife Wendy of Madison, MS; daughter, Rosanne Crockett and her husband Bennie of Hattiesburg, MS; and daughter Suzanne Mason and her husband Charlie of Indianola, MS; by his siblings, David Powell and his wife Carole of Leesburg, FL; Patricia Berry and her husband Crist of Richmond, VA; and George Powell and his wife Kathy of Meridian, MS. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Frances Powell, his father, Gilbert Powell, his mother Myrtis Bailey Powell, and his sister Annette Shelton.
One of Bailey's favorite titles was Dada to his grandchildren and great grandchildren: granddaughter Julianne King and her husband Rob of Hattiesburg, MS, grandson Kyle Crockett of Jackson, MS, grandson David Mason of Madison, MS, grandson Gilbert “Bailey” Powell, III, of Madison, MS, and great grandchildren Robert King, Anne Bennett King, and Virginia King all of Hattiesburg. He also is survived by numerous nephews and nieces.
Bailey was born on August 7, 1931, in Laurel, MS. He lived in several places as a child but the family moved to Millry, AL, where he attended high school playing wide receiver on the football team and working in a restaurant. Millry remained a place that always brought a smile. After high school at the urging of his father, he joined the Navy where he served just over four years and was on a ship during the Korean War. He was discharged upon the death of his father, and came home to attend college. It was while a student at Mississippi College that he met and married Frances Brister on December 23, 1956.
Leaving Mississippi College, Bailey and Frances moved to New Orleans where Bailey earned a law degree from Tulane University, and began his career with Shell Oil Company as a petroleum land man. While in New Orleans, Gil and Rosanne were born. In 1962, the family moved to Jackson, MS, where Bailey became an independent land man and enjoyed many years visiting courthouses, traveling country roads, and having a cup of coffee with potential lessees. Upon moving to Jackson, the story goes that Gil, as a two-year old, chose Alta Woods Baptist as his church, and there the family found a wonderful group of believers with whom lifelong friendships were formed. In Jackson, daughter Suzanne was born.
Bailey and Frances took great delight in their grandchildren and rarely missed a school program, sporting event, recital, or birthday party. He loved young children and seemed to have a special connection with them as he smiled with delight. Dada and Meme showed their love and support through constant attention, physical support, and continual presence in the lives of their grandchildren.
Bailey had many varied interests throughout his life that included daylily gardening, feeding and watching birds in his backyard but especially the eagles at Reel Foot Lake in northwest Tennessee. Bailey was on the church bowling team who bowled weekly at Broadmoor Baptist and he played on the men's basketball team at Alta Woods. He was also an avid reader with an eclectic book collection and had a sincere heart for crossword puzzles, often completing the one in his daily Clarion Ledger. He loved all of the dogs that were in his life whether his own pets or his “grand dogs” that he often dog sat. The grandchildren have fond memories of him with a dog on his lap or sitting beside him on the couch. Of all that he enjoyed, visiting with people, telling stories, and sharing a cup of coffee top the list.
While at Alta Woods, Bailey was a deacon, Sunday School teacher, a member on many committees, and was a greeter at the side door where he “hugged the women and shook hands with the men.” He was also very committed to visitation whether in homes or in hospitals. As a lifelong follower of Christ, he paid attention to God, read and studied the Bible to gain a deeper understanding of his faith, and sought to live out his witness in his family, with friends, and in his business.
Although Alzheimer's disease changed him and robbed him of so many memories and activities, some things remained the same. He delighted in watching young children, still loved a good cup of coffee with a friend and was a gentleman until the end. Bailey will be remembered as a fine, Christian man who loved his family, his friends, his church, and his God.
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