Norman Bailey

TUPELO - Robert Norman Bailey Sr. died Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011, after a long illness. He was born May 7, 1929, in Baxley, Ga. to Minnie Lee Bailey and James Leo Bailey. One of 10 children, Norman attended Georgia Tech where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering. He held the Professional Engineering designation. While at Georgia Tech, he and his classmates built one of the first computers. He also designed a camera tube used in movie cameras by Hollywood studios. At one time, he held 11 patents. In the fall of 1951, he met his future bride, Lillie M. Tudor, in Augusta, Ga. Their 56-year marriage began February 1952.

Serving in both the U.S. Air Force and Navy, Norman received many awards including the American Defense Medal, WWII Victory Medal and Sharpshooter Medal. He retired as a captain in the Naval Reserve in 1989. He was production manager for South Mississippi Electric Power Association in Hattiesburg from 1972 to 1977. In 1977, he organized Trinity Materials, Inc., a fly ash distributor/material research firm to concrete manufacturers. He functioned as the company's president until it was sold in 1989.

After retirement, he devoted his life to mission work. As a member and deacon of Temple Baptist Church, Norman organized and escorted medical and teaching missions to Honduras, Jamaica, Russia and Ukraine. His personal witness and testimony brought many people to accept Christ as their savior.

He was a loving father to his four children, and he left his children many memories of weekends at Clark Hill Reservoir and summer camping vacations. He was a patron of the Masters golf tournament and a proud member of Arnie's Army. He was a runner and golfer. He was a former president of both the Hub City Kiwanis Club and Hattiesburg Chamber of Commerce. He was a Boy Scout Master and member of the District Council, member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and former chairman of MES Professional Engineers in Industry. He was a role model for all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues. W.E. Pegues Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by three daughters, Sherry (Curtis) Gould of Canton, Ga., Jan Graham of Ridgeland, Patsy (Kevin) Hitt of Tupelo; one son, Robert N. Bailey Jr. (Michele) of Crestview, Fla..; 10 grandchildren, Curt Gould, Chris (Abbey) Gould, Whitney (Gabriel) Herring, Audrey Powell, Matt Hitt, Bailey Hitt, Skye Bailey, Kayla Bailey, Savannah Bailey and Cooper Bailey; and two great-grandchildren, Kayleigh and Christopher Gould; and three sisters, Kay Bailey Von Arx of Pensacola, Fla., Roberta Bailey Rivers of Augusta, Ga. and Louise Bailey Nodal-Johnson of Tucson, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lil Bailey in November 2008; his much-loved grandson, Hunter Hitt; five brothers; and one sister.

Pallbearers will be Curtis Gould, Curt Gould, Chris Gould, Kevin Hitt, Matt Hitt, Bailey Hitt and Gabriel Herring.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home in Tupelo.

Donations can be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, 5159 West Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38803 or to Calvary Baptist Church, Benevolence Fund, 501 West Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38804.