Robert Thomas Bailey Sr.

Obituary: Robert Thomas Bailey, Sr.Robert (Bob) Thomas Bailey, Sr.,98, of The Elms North Charleston, SC, devoted husband of his wife, Lessie Rhoad Bailey, died Thursday, December 17, 2015. Robert was born in Bluefield, Virginia on May 10, 1917 to the late Ada Griffith Bailey and Gratton Mustard Bailey. He attended one year at Bluefield Junior College before entering the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 1935. Robert graduated in June 1939 from USNA but was unable to be commissioned as a naval officer due to a serious surgery at John Hopkins Hospital in the spring of his senior year. This led him to a career as a Federal employee in the Naval Shipyard in Charleston, SC. It was here he met Lessie E. Rhoad, a chemist. They were married in 1943 at Ghents Branch Baptist Church near Denmark, SC. Robert retired from the Naval Shipyard after forty years of service in July 1975. Next Robert worked for the State of SC at Trident Technical College as a coordinator of adult training for local industries. He was an active member of the North Charleston Rotary Club for seventeen years during which he received numerous perfect attendance awards and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Robert was a faithful member of North Charleston United Methodist Church for over 60 years where he was one of the groundbreakers for its current location. He served on various committees and boards and was an usher and Sunday School teacher as well as an outreach to the community. Robert is survived by his beloved wife of seventy-two years, Lessie Rhoad Bailey; his daughter, Mary Shannon Bailey Marino (Lawrence) of Goose Creek, SC; his son Dr. Robert Thomas Bailey, Jr. (Johanna) of Fountain Hills, Arizona; grandson, Phillip Bailey Marino (Alexandra) of Moncks Corner, SC. He is also survived by sister-in-laws, Lynette Rhoad of Orangeburg, SC and Virginia Bailey of Staunton, Virginia as well as numerous nieces and nephews and step grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his sister, Janet Bailey Bennett and his brothers, Edward N. Bailey and Ralph S. Bailey. The funeral service will be held at Carolina Memorial Park, 7113 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC on Tuesday, December 22, 2015. The family will receive visitors from 1pm until 2pm prior to the service. BurIal to follow. A special thank you should be given to Bob’s caregivers and all the faithful and compassionate nurses and aids at Life Care of Charleston. The family would also like to thank all caregivers from Hospice of Charleston for their exceptional service and care. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to North Charleston United Methodist Church, 1125 E. Montague Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting the website, Legacy.com