Max Edward Bailey

Published 3:07 pm Thursday, November 29, 2018

Max Edward Bailey passed away Nov. 28, 2018, surrounded by family, after a heroic battle with cancer.

A lifelong Polk County resident, Max was born April 29, 1951, to the Rev. Loyd Roberson Bailey and Mamie Barnett Bailey. He graduated from Polk Central High School and served in the Army National Guard. 

A skilled craftsman, his working days were spent building and remodeling homes and woodworking in the western North Carolina area. His portfolio included restoration work on two historical buildings in McDowell County, one of which was featured in national magazines and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Max was a talented musician, singer and songwriter. Jam sessions with him were pure enjoyment for both audience and fellow players. He enjoyed gospel, bluegrass, folk, and southern rock; NASCAR, Braves baseball and the NFL; and fixing up and driving classic cars from the ‘60s and ‘70s. 

A proud and fiercely loving father, Max instilled the work ethic in his children that he received from his parents growing up on the farm. He treated others with respect, generosity and a deep empathy. Everyone he met —whether through business, at a social gathering, even at the grocery store — found a friend.

Weekends were spent with upkeep and improvements to the home he built, and often doing some free repair work for someone in need. His church was being in the woods on Sunday morning.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Tony; sister, Beryl; sister-in-law, Estelle; and brother-in-law, J.T.

He is survived by his son, Seth Bailey of San Rafael, California; daughters, Sarah Bailey of Austin, Texas, Jennifer Bailey of Mill Spring, and Vanessa Morris of Harris; granddaughters, Amelia, Lillian and Scarlett; brother, Arthur Bailey of Mill Spring; sisters, Bertha Bailey, Norma Bailey Williams and Patricia (Sis) Bailey Moore of Rutherfordton; nephew, Lewis; niece, Tammy; several great nieces and nephews; Margaret Dalton and her family; and too many friends to count. 

He was a good man.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at Crowe’s Mortuary. 

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Polk County Line Road.

Remembrances may be made in the form of flowers, donations to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, or as the giver sees fit.