Garland R. Bailey, 86 of Brownwood, TX passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday July 7th, 2023.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Heritage Funeral Home Davis Morris Chapel in Brownwood on Saturday July 15th at 10:00 AM. Bro. David Barnum and Bro. Don Fawcett will be officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Friday evening July 14th.
Garland was born on January 24th, 1937, in Brownwood’s Medical Arts Hospital to Marion L. & Pearl Bailey. He graduated from Brookesmith High School in 1955. He attended Howard Payne College to study Business and Agriculture.
In 1955 Garland joined the National Guard, 36th Division of Texas. He was in a communications platoon Wire Section as a wireman. Two years later in 1957, he moved to Midland, Tx. He transferred his membership in the National Guard to the 36th Division Armored Cavalry Regiment. When he was honorably discharged from the National Guard, he was a Buck Sergeant, E-5 Communications Chief.
Midland, TX was where he met Glenda Snodgrass on a botched blind date July 22, 1957! He wasn’t even supposed to go out with her, but her roommate at the time, stood him up! Several hours later that included a drive to Mexico, they were married! Garland & Glenda had 51 years of marriage and 3 wonderful daughters.
Garland worked for Gulf Oil for a time in Midland as a messenger then was offered a job at a new oil related company, Williams & Lee, as a print operator. Garland & Glenda decided to move back to Brownwood in 1967 where he landed a job at the 3M Company of Brownwood. He was at 3M until his retirement as an Advanced Technical Service Representative in 2000.
During his retirement, he enjoyed his passion for fishing. He also enjoyed writing a book about his life. Garland loved to tell all kinds of stories about his childhood at Brookesmith as well as many fishing tales he and his buddies had over the years. He instilled the passion for fishing in his daughter Carren and her son AJ.
In 2008 his life was turned upside down with the death of Glenda. They had been members of Grosvenor Baptist Church for several years & he continued going to church there. A few years later, Garland was reacquainted with (then) Nelda Rothwell. They were married in September of 2013 and would have enjoyed their 10th anniversary this year.
Garland’s wishes were for this to be a celebration of his life “Because, it’s been a good one!”
To his wife Nelda – Thank you for the tender love you have given me and for making sure I had all my meds as scheduled as well as helping me with my health problems. You have been not only wife but like a full-time nurse!
To all of my daughters- Carren Bowden, Suzanne Monroe, & Marla Allgood, “Thank you for the tender love and affection you have all given me”.
He also wanted these acknowledgements of his love for these special people in his life: Adopted by love, Debbie Cochran and Deana Diebel, Step-sons, Mark & Brent Schaefer. To my Grandchildren, AJ Moore, Staci Moore, Taylor Moore, Emily Strickland, James Smith, Dylan Smith, Macee Skillern, Jordan Wolf, McKenna Wolf , plus an adopted by love grandson Royce Hashburger- Thanks for your love and respect you have all shown me. To my Great Grandchildren: Hailey Moore, Jared Moore, Samuel Wolf, Selah Smith, Savannah Skillern Hannah Strickland, Beau Wolf, Devrie Wolf, all extended family members, as well as other special people to me…. Niece Francie Bailey, cousins Maxie Sewalt & Mary Lee Bailey Shelton…. I love you all so much!
Garland is survived by his wife Nelda Bailey; daughters Carren Bowden and husband Sam of Brownwood, Suzanne Monroe and husband Chris of Rusk, Tx; Marla Allgood and husband Dominic of North Lake Brownwood. Grandchildren, James Smith and fiancé Jennifer Graham of Mesquite, Tx;, AJ Moore & wife Christina of Pharr; Tx, Staci Moore of Corpus Christi, Tx; Taylor Moore of Stockdale, Tx; Dylan Smith and Danielle Paz of Midland, Tx; Emily Strickland and husband Tanner of Early; Macee Skillern & husband Tim of Nacogdoches; Jordan Wolf of Brownwood; McKenna Wolf of Brownwood; two step-sons Mark Schaefer of Longview and Brent Schaefer of Longview. Great grandchildren, who lit up his life – Hailey Moore, Jared Moore, Hannah Strickland, Savannah Skillern, Samuel and Beau Wolf, and Devrie Wolf.
Garland was preceded in death by a son-Steven Ray, his first wife-Glenda Bailey, his parents-Marion & Pearl Bailey, brothers -Brown & Darrell Bailey, sister-Linda Creech, a granddaughter- Vanessa Moore.
To all of my friends and family, “Remember, LIFE is a one timer, DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME”! May God bless all of you!!!
Now my love to all of you! REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES! I’ll see you “later”!
Garland, Dad, Husband, Granddaddy, Granddad, Uncle Garland, & Cousin Garland
The family suggests that if you so desire, wear your PEARL SNAP shirts, jeans and boots (no ties!) to honor our dad/husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rio Grande Valley Down Syndrome Association, Corinne T. Smith Animal Center, Autism Speaks, or your charity of choice.
A very special thanks to Dr. Morales, Solaris Hospice (all of you went above and beyond for him in the last few weeks), Holiday Hill Nursing home staff, and the great staff at Oak Ridge Manor in Brownwood.