Rev. Thomas Bailey

The Rev. Thomas R. “Tommy” Bailey, 68, of Irmo, SC and husband of the love of his life, his beautiful bride, Lisa Garrett Bailey for the last 35 years, went to his Heavenly home on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at his home. Born in Spartanburg, SC on September 12, 1953, Rev. Bailey was the son of Ruby Jane Bailey of Wellford, SC and the late Thomas Junior Bailey.

Rev. Bailey was a graduate of the James F. Byrnes Class of 1972. Rev. Bailey was a retired Elder in the SC United Methodist Conference. During his ministry, Rev. Bailey served the Chesnee/Trinity Charge (1997-2004), Duncan Acres Charge in Union (2004-2010), Timmonsville/Salem Charge (2010-2014), and St. James Charge in Laurens (2014-2017). After his retirement from Church ministry, worked as a Chaplain for Crescent Hospice from February 2018 until April 2021.

Rev. Bailey attended Spartanburg Methodist College where he received many awards. Rev. Bailey was awarded the Olin D. Johnston Good Citizenship Award, the Religion Award, named in Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges and in 2002 Kappa Sigma Alpha Service Fraternity named their highest award given to the student that gives the most service to the community, “The Thomas R. Bailey Humanitarian Service Award” in his honor. Rev. Bailey also attended Wofford College earning a BA degree in Religion and Erskine Theological Seminary earning an MDiv, Master of Divinity Degree.

In addition to his wife and mother, Rev. Bailey is survived by his daughters, Dr. Chastity Evans (John) of Columbia, and Amanda Bevis (Rev. Shep) of Spartanburg. His heart, grandchildren: Corey Bott of Pawleys Island, Adam Bott (Lauren) of Marion, Faith “Monkey Girl” Bott of San Jose, CA, Lauren “Lala” Bevis, Anna Beth “Monkey Girl” Bevis, Drew Bevis, and Caroline “Liney” Bevis, all of Spartanburg, and Luke Evans of Columbia. Sister: Susan Sneed (Tim) of Duncan. Brothers-in-Love, Sam Garrett (Jackie) of Indianapolis, IN, David Garrett (Andrea) of Tucson, AZ, and Greg Garrett (Rickie Ann) of Spartanburg. Beloved nieces: Autumn Hudson of Lyman and Ashley Davis (Tyler) of Duncan. Beautiful Great nieces: Emma Brooke Wilson of Duncan and Lucy Jane Hudson of Lyman. His greatly loved Uncles: Eber Bailey (Mildred) of Wellford, Gary Bailey (Edith) of Spartanburg, and George Moore of Wellford. A special friend, Sharon Johnson (Tony) of Lexington. And Finally, Abby and Lila, who brought so much joy into his life.

Rev. Bailey was predeceased by his father, Thomas J. Bailey, his grandparents: Lewis Thomas and Mary Gilreath Bailey, and Richard and Louise Johnson. Beloved uncles: Fred Johnson, Rev. Hilton Johnson, Marvin Bailey, and Melvin Bailey and Aunts, Clara Mae Moore and Joyce Bailey Green.

Family will receive friends at 1:00 – 2:45 PM Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Floyd’s Boiling Springs Chapel, 4081 Highway 9 North, Boiling Springs, SC 29316. A Funeral service will be at 3:00 PM at the chapel, conducted by The Rev. David F. Erwin and The Rev. Shep Bevis. Private burial will be Monday, November 22, 2021 in Good Shepherd Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spartanburg Methodist College c/o Intuitional Advancement, Reference “In Memory of Tommy Bailey” 1000 Powell Mill Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301 or Crescent Hospice, 1370 Browning Road, Suite 120, Columbia, SC 29210.

Floyd’s Boiling Springs Chapel