May God bless family and friends  during this most difficult time. Martin was a teammate and friend and his memory will live on. 

I met Martin for the first time in January 1985 when we were freshmen punters at Wake. Martin invited me down to Summerville for spring break that same March to meet the family and hang out at the local hot spots.  I got to meet Dick and Pat who invited me into their home as one of their own.  I will never forget their kindness and hospitality.  Martin comes from good stock and I can see where he got his sense of humor.  We took in some Green Wave baseball, stopped in to chat with Coach McKissick, checked out Folly Beach and got in some bowling.  We also met a sweet local girl named Michelle that Martin seemed to be quite fond of.  

Martin was very competitive and full of confidence.  Although we were in direct competition with one another we were close friends.  Many think when you're competing with one another that you secretly hope the other guy screws up to make yourself look better.  That wasn't the case at all.  We both had our share of screw ups and laughs that first year but in the end he got the best of me and wound up having a fantastic career.  He never let me forget about a pre-game warm up punt that i launched about 20 rows up in the stands and hit some unfortunate spectator in the head.  I never let him forget about missing the kicking net on the sideline at Army and drilling a Cadet at the end of the field.  I'm sorry Martin, the world needs to know.   

There are a lot of good memories from those days and I look back on them often and always fondly.  He always had a joke at the ready, never one to be a downer.  I'll always remember Martin as a good friend and a good man.  God bless you buddy, you will be missed.  

I don't think I have a single memory, childhood or adult, of Martin that doesn't begin or end with laughter.  Martin has been a part of our family since I was about 8. At that time, I am sure I was just a jealous,  bratty little sister. After all, he was sealing my big sis away. Why he tolerated me is still a mystery. The memories I have are full of love and laughter. There was one time we had gone and eaten at RB's on Shem Creek and he had eaten way too many shrimp. He pretended to birth a shrimp everytime we hit a bump coming across the old Cooper River Bridge. He had the entire car laughing! The memory that is tops in my book is being with Martin and Michelle when they found out they were expecting Meghan on one of my trips to Texas. His face was priceless! The love he has for Michelle and Meghan was and always will be fiercely devoted. The bond the three of them shared is what love stories are made of. As we continue to reflect and cherish our memories,  he continues to bless us with the gift of laughter.  Martini, you will be forever missed and always loved!

Heidi Blanton


Martin was certainly a welcomed addition to our family when he and Michelle married in 1990. Loved him from the beginning.  He was such a great guy and knew how to keep everyone laughing, sometimes I laughed until I cried.  (Remember in Texas)  His smile and laugh will never be forgotten.  His love for his family, especially Michelle and Meghan, was unparalleled!  They have a very special Guardian Angel watching over them. Martin, you will be greatly missed and forever loved. 
Love, Sharon/ Mom/ Gummi

My brother, we will miss you as you were the smiles in our family.
I remember when you helped me out & it cost me 20.00.
I remember all the laughs we had through the years.
I remember when Marlowe & I came to visit & you gave us the desk to take home & it fell apart on the way home. During the same visit Michelle cooked Chicken Ball & you & I laughed for the next 40 years about how much Micheel loved you but could not cook.
I remember the day you jumped off the roof of my house into the swimming pool. You were always the smile in our family.
I remember the time you said to graduate from college all you needed was a baseball cap & sunglass. Only the family will understand this one.
I Rember when Marlowe & I were @ our Texas home & you was cutting the grass & the mower was not cutting. I had you lift the mower to find you had the blades on backward OMG. I could go on for hours but the thing I remember most was how much you loved Michelle & Megan.
I remember when Mom & Dad built the Summerville house & Mike & I had to share a room, but you had your own room & it had a light that was a basketball hoop.
My best memories were the smiles you always gave to everyone.
I remember when you went to college & Mom & Dad bought you the Nissan 300 zx with license plates I O YOU MOM.
We will all see each other again.
I know you are with Dad & smiling down on us.
May GOD be with you.
To Michellle & Megan, Martin loved you both & my family thanks you for always being by his side.
My brother had such a great lift with the both of you.
Martin, I love you and miss you.













The news of Martin Bailey’s passing is just so difficult to comprehend. I can’t imagine the pain that his family is feeling.
I was fortunate enough to be able to be an assistant coach on the Greenwave football teams when Martin was playing. He was a terrific athlete. We had a group of superior athletes in those days and Martin Bailey was as good as any of them. He could do anything in football; anything. In baseball he was super as well, Martin always seemed “up”! He was very positive and he cheerfully supported his teammates. Everyone of them seemed to enjoy a good friendship with Martin. He was ready to laugh or share a funny story just about any time. I can hear him chuckle right now. He was confident about his abilities. I guess a lot of that came from his parents. I can see his dad at practice right now. Martin’s dad was quiet and always supportive of his son and the team. I can also see Martin joking with his dad. Their relationship was a great thing. 
The last time I remember talking to Martin was after the program at Summerville High School when Martin and a handful of former Greenwave Athletes was inducted into the Summerville High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Martin accepted his induction into the Hall with true humility. Of course, he was happy to have been recognized by his high school but he was just so gracious and genuinely touched by receiving the honor. After the induction ceremony I recall Martin and his coach, Coach Pinky Guerard, talking and thanking each other for the impact they had on one another. Both men were very teary eyed and emotional as they hugged and shook hands. Martin mentioned that his dad had already passed on and he said something to the effect that next to his dad Coach Guerard was the man who had the greatest impact on his life. It was a very special moment in their lives and it meant a lot to me to be able to witness the love and respect they shared. 
I hope memories like these will come flooding into your heart. 

I have always told my daughters that during their lifetime the number of people that they can call true friends would be able to be counted on one hand. Martin has always been my true friend and I am sure this is true for all of us. The stories and memories that I have started in our high school days and they are all coming rushing back to me. The one memory that keeps coming back to me is undying love for Michelle and Megan. Martin is my friend but more importantly he will always be my brother. I love you brother and I miss you. 

To the family, so sorry for your loss. Have so many great memories with Martin  growing up in summerville. Played baseball basically my whole life with him. He at short stop and me at second base. Remember vividly the  baseball gaming battles on the Atari in back corner of his house. WaS also there when he kicked at least a 80 yard punt at USC game. What a great guy.  Again sorry for loss. He will definitely be missed.  

I can't remember a time when he was truly in a bad mood.  He could be grumpy but was never actually mad or mean.   He was one of my favorite people ever.  I legitimately laughed more with him than anyone else I have ever known.  Whether we were playing video games or riding down the road we always had fun.  There are too many stories to pick from.  I hope he knew how much I loved him and how much of an impact he had on my life.  I love you Uncle Martin.  We are all better people for having you in our lives.  I will forever enjoy talking to Aunt Michelle and Meghan about how much fun we had and just know that more stories will be coming in the future.  I love you



OBITUARY

Martin Earl Bailey III

November 22, 1964 – February 23, 2022

McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel

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