James Dovel Bailey, age 87, of Dixon, was born August 24, 1934, at Phelps City, Missouri, a son of James Wilson and Mabel Claudine (Stoner) Bailey, and departed this life on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, in the Dixon Nursing and Rehab.

He was united in marriage on September 9, 1956, at Fillmore, Missouri, to the former Miss Cora Alice Rutherford, and to this union two daughters were born.

Mr. Bailey graduated from Mound City, Missouri, High School in 1952. He entered the United States Army on  April 4, 1957, at Maryville, Missouri, and served until his honorable discharged on April 3, 1959, at Fort Lewis, Washington, at the rank of Corporal E-4 (T).  His "Honorable Discharge is a testament of patriotic service to his country.  Mr. Bailey accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and followed Him in baptism early in life.  He had served as pastor of High Point Church of God, near Dixon for fifty-three years until it's closing, and at the time of his passing was attending the  Church of God, St. Robert.

During his working life, he was employed by the United Telephone Company for almost 30 years, and for the Dixon R-1 Schools as a custodian for 11 years prior to his retiring.  Mr. Bailey was always diligent in taking care of his family and friends.

Those left to mourn the passing of Rev. Bailey include: His loving wife of over 65 years, Alice Bailey, of the home near Dixon; two brothers, Elmer Bailey (Phyllis), Nixa; and Marion Bailey, Mineola, Texas; cousins; nieces; nephew; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his two daughters, Mary Ellen Bailey, on February 25, 1987, and Delores Jean Bailey, on August 1, 2018;  his father, James, on September 12, 1974; his mother, Mabel,  on June 30, 2003; and sister, Claudine Woods, on February 12, 2008.

Visitation for Rev. Bailey will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday April 20, 2022,  and 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, April 21, 2022, with his Funeral Service following at 11:00 a.m., all in the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, 105 E. Third Street Dixon, Missouri 65459, with Rev. Jim Duncan and Rev. William Kempen officiating.

Interment with full military honors will be in the Dixon Cemetery under the direction of the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home.

Memorial are suggested to the Dixon Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes available at the funeral home or in care of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, MO 65459.

Online condolences may be left at www.birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com