Mr. Ricky Bailey

Richard Leon “Ricky” Bailey, 55, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2014, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 22 with a Celebration of the Mass at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter the Apostle in downtown Jackson. Ricky was born in Winter Haven, Florida on February 5, 1959 and grew up in South Jackson. He graduated as a member of the Forest Hill High School Class of 1977. He attended Hinds Community College and Millsaps College. Ricky was a carpenter, builder and contractor in the greater Jackson area for over 30 years, beginning his career at Peeples Construction Company, then in 1983 forming his own contracting partnership with his cousin Frank Brantley. Ricky was preceded in death by his mother, Johnnye Banks Weber Bailey and his grandparents, Johnnye Banks and Norman Weber, Sr. and BB and Shellie M. Bailey, Sr. Ricky is survived by his family: his wife of 33 years, Jackie Posey Bailey, his son Matthew and Matthew’s wife Elisha, and his daughter Mary Shellie Bailey Carr and Shellie’s husband Patrick. He also leaves his two beautiful granddaughters, Miss Mary Alexander Carr and Miss Sarah Ellen Bailey. Ricky is also survived by his father, Shellie M. Bailey, Jr. Ricky was Baptized into the Catholic Church in May, 1983. He so believed in and followed the simple principles of his beloved Church, first at St. Therese Catholic Church in South Jackson and later at the Cathedral. Ricky was a devoted husband and father whose family always came first in his life. He coached many of his children’s youth sports teams – soccer, basketball and football. Ricky was always involved in their school activities, even into college where Ricky and Jackie hosted many a tailgate for Matthew, Mary Shellie and their friends from Terry High School who went to Ole Miss. He was a volunteer for many years with the annual Catholic Build for Habitat for Humanity Metro Jackson. His easy going personality and sense of humor endeared him to all who knew him. He is much loved and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Ricky’s favorite charities, Stewpot Community Services, P.O. Box 3610, Jackson, MS 39207 and Habitat for Humanity Metro Jackson, 615 Stonewall Street, Jackson, MS 39213.