Obituary of Joseph Franklin Bailey

Joseph Franklin Bailey, 84, of Wytheville Virginia, passed away on April 19, 2022, after a hard fight. Joe was born on March 23, 1938, to Leonard Bailey and Frances Love Bailey in Knoxville, Tennessee. After graduating from high school, he like his brothers before him enlisted in the military. He served honorably in the Marine Corps (including two tours in Vietnam), until he retired in 1977. Joe then continued to work in the D.C. Department of Corrections for 20 years, until retirement. Following this, he put his culinary skills to work as a cook in Quantico, Virginia and then later in Wytheville, VA, where he worked alongside his son George Bailey. In 1969, Joe met Lou Hsiu Ying and they wed in 1970, going on to have 2 children, George Lou Huie Faung Bailey and Joseph Lou Bailey. Joe was always a hard worker and a fantastic father. Joe was also an excellent musician, a trait he passed on to both of his sons. He was also a loving husband and a great father and mentor. Through all the trials and hardships of being in the military and working as a correctional officer, he found a way to coach his sons in baseball or play games of football (no one can forget the infamous Montclair Ice Bowl). He was always on the sideline cheering on his sons, as they played sports or in the audience while they followed their artist endeavors. He was a kind soul that would do anything for anyone. His doors were always open to family friends and to someone in need. He supported his wife, Lou, as she went on her adventures to Taiwan or to play slot machines in Charlestown, West Virginia. He also loves to spend his time as Lou’s chauffeur, where their favorite destination was the local bingo hall (Wytheville’s very own Moose Lodge) They were inseparable. A love that started as friendship and only grew stronger from there. He was always smart enough to let Lou wear the pants in the family. Joe was an amazing saxophone player and a very talented musician. He played for Presidents, members of Congress, and Washington football games, at the old RFK Stadium. He even had a jazz/rock band back in the day (now I know where I got that from). He instilled a great love for people and country in his children. One that was in still lives on today. He often spoke of the “Power of One”. If you can only change/ better one life, they can change another life and so on. Before you know it, you have changed millions through one small act of kindness. I know his lasting wish is that we put that to heart and action Joe was predeceased by his parents Leonard Bailey and Frances Love Bailey, as well as his wife, Lou Hsiu Ying Bailey, and brothers Leonard, David, and Fred Bailey, and sister Grace Arter. He is survived by his brother Eddie Bailey, his sister Frances Williams, son George Bailey and his wife Melissa Bailey, Joseph L. Bailey and his wife Jennie Bailey, grandchildren Abigail Bailey, Jacob Bailey, Piper Bailey, Riley Bailey, Donovan Bailey, Dorien Bailey, and newly added grand-children Jacob Jones and Caylob Jones. A graveside service will be held 3 P.M. Friday, July 8, 2022, at the Southwest Virginia Veteran Cemetery in Dublin, Virginia. The family requests that all flowers, donations, and notes are sent to their home (285 Dogwood Drive Wytheville, VA 24382). Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.