James Irvin Bailey

James Irvin Bailey December 20, 1938 – May 1, 2021 James Irvin Bailey, 82 of Stantonsburg passed away Saturday at home surrounded by family. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Stantonsburg Town Cemetery, Stantonsburg. Bill and Marie Edmundson will officiate. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 – 8 p.m. at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson. Mr. Bailey was a member of Stantonsburg Baptist Church for seventy-five years. Grandpa loved farming, auctions, and all things agricultural. He looked forward every year to the Wilson County Fair, Wayne County Fair, and most important the NC State Fair, as he always thought no one else could display any items better than his. His passion was raising pumpkins, watermelons, and gourds, which he had won over 2000 ribbons at the local and state level. Grandpa was often referred to as “The Pumpkin Man.” Grandpa loved all his family members, especially those grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed attending all their sports events, dance recitals and never missed their birthdays. Every year at Valentines you could count on a zip lock bag of candy for each member of the household waiting for you at the back door when you arrived home. He never forgot anyone’s birthday. Mr. Bailey is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Katie Bailey; sister, Esther Evans; brother, Willie, Ray, Hardie, Lonnie and Douglas Bailey, and his granddaughter, Mindy Pierce. He is survived by his wife, Mattie Ruth Bailey; children, Janice Davis (Ronnie), Ralph Bailey (Dianne), Stanley Bailey (Diane), Diane Garcia (Alex), Linda Keasling, and his step-sons, Billy Walston (Sue) and Greg Walston (Wanda). Grandpa had eight grandchildren, Anthony, Treg, Jamie, Jeremie, April, Jordan, Samantha, and James; step-granddaughter, Jessica. He had sixteen great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Josh, Austin, Mason, Skyler, Tanner, Kaili, Gracie, Brayden, Peyton, Colt, Kendall, Mason, Cash, Paisley, and Emma, and great-great-grandchild, Kaiden, who will be arriving soon. Mr. Bailey is also survived by his sisters, Hilda Vick, Rose Winstead, and Judy Whitley. A special thank you to Dr. Richard Pippin and Community Home Care and Hospice of Wilson. Flowers are welcome or please consider memorials in James’ memory to the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina, 9131 Anson Way, Suite 206, Raleigh, North Carolina 27615. Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net