Chester Bailey

Chester Marine Bailey, 90, of Checotah passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family, friends and pastor. Chester was born Sunday, Nov. 7, 1926, in Bokoshe to Lawrence and Cora Bailey.  
He graduated from Keota High School. He served in the Army during WWII.  He was drafted in July 1945. After basic training at Camp Fannin, Texas he enlisted and was stationed at Fort Benjamin, Harrison, Ind., guarding prisoners. He also served in Georgia, Indiana, Ohio and South Carolina. He was a member of Checotah American Legion Post 21.
 He married Billie Maeona Mosby on Thursday, April 11, 1946, at the county courthouse with the district attorney as a witness.
On Thursday, March 25, 1948 their son, Ronald Wayne was born. Their daughter, Patricia Ann was born  Monday, Nov. 21, 1949. In July 1966, he became the legal guardian of his sister’s daughters, Judy Ann and Donna Lee Cook. They bought their first home south of Keota. In 1951, they wanted something better than farming, so they packed up their belongings and moved to Lawton, as they had relatives there. He was hired by Fairmont Foods as a driver salesman. The company changed names over the years. By 1988, when he retired, he was on his 38th year and working for Borden.
He accepted the Lord in November 1954 and became an active member of several Free Will Baptist churches. He was ordained as a deacon in 1956 and served in many offices of the church. He enjoyed camping, fishing, traveling and visiting his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Cora Bailey; one brother, Doyle; two sisters, Idona and Beulah; and two half-sisters, Agnes and Edith.  
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Billie; his children, Ron and Jeanie of Waxahachie, Texas, Pat and her husband Melvin of Jacksonville, Fla; Mike and Judy of Tulsa and Donna Dickson of Portage, Ind. He had eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews which held a special place in his heart.  
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all that knew him. He had a strong unwavering faith in God.
Services celebrating the life of Chester were held June 27 at Westside Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. Joel Kircher and the Rev. Jackie Brown officiating. Military Honors were rendered by the Army Funeral Honor Guard.
Burial followed under the personal direction of John Garrett. Committal prayers and interment followed at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery under the personal direction of John Garrett.  
Scott Simmons, Brent Simmons, Jeff Simmons, Mathew Simmons, Robert Hogan and Maxten Hogan served as casket bearers. Dr. Tom Mosby served as honorary casket bearer.
You may share online condolences with Chester’s family at www.garrettfamilyfuneralhome.com. The family of Chester Marine Bailey entrusted his care, services and burial to John and Kim Garrett of Garrett Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service 311 SW 2nd Checotah, OK 74426 (918) 473-2244.