DR. PURNELL BAILEY
Died July 16, 2006
Dr. Amos Purnell Bailey, a resident of Chancellor's Village in Spotsylvania, Va., and a native of Grotons, Accomac County, Virginia, died Sunday at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Va.
Dr. Bailey received bachelors' degrees from Randolph-Macon College and Duke Divinity School and a master's degree in theology from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va. He also studied at Union Theological Seminary in New York and the Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem. He was honored by Randolph-Macon with a doctor of divinity degree. An endowment was given to the college in his name to establish a scholarship fund for students preparing for the ministry.
Dr. Bailey served as an Army chaplain with the First Calvary Division during World War II. He began writing his syndicated column, "Our Daily Bread," in the Stars and Stripes newspaper while serving on General Douglas McArthur's staff in Tokyo in 1945. Over the past 66 years, his radio program, books and inspirational column ministered to thousands around the world.
As an ordained United Methodist Minister in the Virginia Annual Conference, he served pastorates at Centenary, Reveille, Beulah, and New Kent charge in Richmond; Grace in Newport News; and Oak Grove in Chesapeake. He also served as District Superintendent of the Richmond District.
Dr. Bailey is survived by his wife, Betty Lou Sheffield Bailey (his first wife, Ruth Hill Bailey, died in 1992); four daughters, Carol Harriman of Alexandria, Va., Anne Page of Raleigh, Elizabeth Richardson of Richmond, Va., and Jeanne Dodge-Allen of Fairfax, Va.; one brother, Homer Bailey of Tulsa, Okla.; three stepchildren, Walter Sheffield of Fredericksburg, Va., Dr. Polly Roberts of Roanoke, Va., and Courtney Lou Tierney of O'Fallon, Ill.; and 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The burial will be private. A memorial service will be held at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church on Saturday at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held before and after the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the A. Purnell Bailey Scholarship Fund, Randolph-Macon College, P.O.. Box 5005, Ashland, Va., 23005.
Mullens & Thompson Funeral Service in Fredericksburg, Va., is serving the family.
Published in Obituaries on July 18, 2006 2:11 PM