The Rev. Dr. Wilford Lee Bailey departed this life on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Forsyth Medical Hospital in Winston- Salem, N.C., following a lengthy illness.

Rev. Dr. Bailey, 87, of 872 Bailey Farm Road, Statesville, N.C., was born on June 29, 1937, in Iredell County, Statesville, N.C., to the late Curlee and Susie Mayfield Bailey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Kenneth Wayne Bailey and Lee Anthony Millsaps; and one brother, Paul Curlee Bailey.

He completed his early education at Scotts Rosenwald Elementary School in Loray, N.C., and Unity High School in Statesville, where he graduated with honors. He attended Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, N.C.

He received Christ at an early age and joined his family church, Mount Vernon A.M.E. Zion Church, where he was continually active as a young man. He accepted his call into the ministry in November 1965, and preached his trial sermon on Mother’s Day, May 14, 1966. He was licensed by the AME Zion Church and was active in many capacities of the AME Zion Church for over 45 years, where he was well known as a church builder, organizer, and community leader. He made a difference as he served as pastor at all these churches in North Carolina, Mt Olin AME Zion Church, Newton, Mt. Vernon AME Zion Church, Statesville, Rhoney’s Chapel AME Zion Church, Hickory, Coulter’s Grove, AME Zion, Newton, Moore’s Chapel, AME Zion Church, Lincolnton, Mainville AME Zion Church, Mocksville, Shiloh AME Zion Church, Statesville, St. James AME Zion, Maiden, and Haywood Chapel before being appointed Presiding Elder of the Statesville District.

He created a cohesive community between the laity and clergy of the A.M.E. Zion Church and emphasized programs promoting community awareness, health education, and many other programs aimed at improving the quality of the human experience. Because of his service to the community, family and church, he won the North Carolina NAACP Minister of the Year Award, The City of Statesville Distinguished Citizen Award, the 1993 Bishop Herbert Bell Shaw Memorial Award for Distinguished Leadership, and the Laymen Father of the Year Award. He was an active member of the Iredell Political Action Group, Camp Dorothy Walls Trustee Board, Member of Christian Ministries, Inc. and the Statesville Ministerial Alliance.

In addition to spending time with his loved ones, he enjoyed farming, working on cars, string art, and riding his bicycle. He loved taking pictures, often riding from church to church taking pictures.

Those celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr. Wilford Lee Bailey and cherishing his memories include his loving and devoted wife, Ophelia Mallard Bailey; four children, Barney Lee Bailey, Debra Bailey Nesbit (Edward), both of Statesville, Christopher Bailey (Lynette) of Chicago, Ill., and Joy Bailey Dorty of Troutman; a daughter-in-law, Beverly Howell Millsaps of Taylorsville; grandchildren, Barney Bailey (Tyrickie), Edward Nesbit II (Victoria), Brittany Danielle Hawblitz, Tiffany Millsaps, all of Winston -Salem, Kenya Howze of Charlotte, Terrell James Bailey (Aimee) and Kenneth Bailey Jr., both of Colorado Springs; Ebony Bailey and Chasity Stevenson (Caderis), both of Cleveland; great-grandchildren, Johnta Bailey, Quy Bailey, Kaylece Ann Nesbit, Caiden Hawblitz, Karsynn Hawblitz , Kara Stewart, Jonyce Bailey, Jocoby Bailey and Nicholas Stevenson; two Brothers, Leonard Bailey (Wilma) and Oren Eugene Bailey (Angela); two sisters, Magdalene “Deanie” Bailey and Evelyn Horton (John); brothers-in-law, Robert Mallard of Morganton and Gary Mallard (Tanita) of Taylorsville; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Mallard Thomas (Butch) and Peggy Mallard, both of Taylorville; his Class Leader Glenda (Daniel) Rucker; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives, church family, neighbors and friends.

Rutledge & Bigham Funeral Home is serving the family.