Lavell Bailey

Lavell Estene Bailey passed away on February 26, 2022, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He was born June 29,1926, to Paul and Tempe A. (Baker) Bailey on a farm/ranch in a community located on the Vista Mountain in Hamilton County, Texas.

Lavell enlisted in the United States Navy in October 1942. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII until 1945. He reenlisted in 1946 and served until 1955 when he became disabled. From 1957-1980, Lavell was employed as a quality assurance specialist by the United States Army Ammunition Procurement District in Pasadena, California. He continued as a quality assurance specialist when he transferred to the General Services Administration Rehabilitation Branch in Ft. Wort, Texas.

In 1980, Lavell retired from Federal service after working 36 years. He became a master mason, endowed Scottish rite mason, in 1972. He was a lifetime member of the DAV, VFW,, and the National Association of Federal Retirees. Lavell was also a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Lavell was married to his first love, Mary Anne Sandstede in 1948. In 1950, they welcomed a son, Larry E. Bailey, and a few years later, a daughter, Cindy Bailey. After Mary Anne passed away, Lavell married his second love, Emma Lee Ballew Dunn in 1977. He became a kind and caring stepfather to her sons, Donald and Michael Dunn. Lavell and Emma spent several years living in El Paso, Texas, before retiring to Paris, Texas. While in Paris, Texas, he owned a small tree farm and a yard maintenance business and Emma worked as administrative assistant to the dean of Paris Junior College.

In 1992, once again retired, they moved to Tahlequah, Oklahoma where they enjoyed the lake, fishing, and traveling in the United States ,Canada, and Europe. On June 10, 2007, after 36 years of marriage, Lavell`s beloved wife, Emma, passed away. Afterwards, he remained in Tahlequah for several years, spending time fishing with his buddies. Muskogee, Oklahoma became his next home , where he enjoyed family gatherings and Sunday morning brunch, after church service, with his stepson, Mike. Lavell loved receiving phone calls and visits from his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In 2017, at the age of 90, escorted by his stepson, Mike, Lavell participated in The Honor Flight . He was transported, along with other WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. , where they were welcomed and honored and given VIP tours of the National WWII Memorial and other National Memorials in the Nations capitol. Lavell spent his final year living in Ft. Smith , Arkansas , where he was lovingly cared for by his daughter-in-law, Becky Dunn.

Lavell was preceded in death by his parents; his first love, Mary Anne; his second love, Emma ; brother-in-law, Michael Rubis : and his beloved son, Larry Bailey .

Those left to cherish his memory are; daughter, Cindy Bailey of Springdale, Arkansas ; sister, Imogene (Sis) Bailey Rubis of Burleson, Texas ; daughter-in-law, Penny Bailey of San Clemente, California ; granddaughter, Tiffany Tag ( Brian Ashton) of Springdale, Arkansas ; grandson, Jerry Bo West Bailey (Samantha) of Springdale, Arkansas ; great granddaughter, Delilah Rose Tag ; great grandsons, Wyatt Tag and Ramsey Lavell Christopher Bailey of Springdale, Arkansas ; stepsons, Donald ( Rebecca) Dunn of Ft. Smith, Arkansas and Michael ( Dr. Susan ) Dunn of Muskogee, Oklahoma ; grandsons, Bo ( Amanda) Deaton of Ft. Smith, Arkansas ; Zachary ( Adrienne) Dunn and Grant ( Destinee) Dunn of Muskogee, Oklahoma; great grandsons, Devon and Cameron Deaton of Ft. Smith, Arkansas ; Major and Conlan Dunn of Muskogee, Oklahoma ;and great grandson, Ranger Dunn due in July, 2022 ; nephews, Michael Rubis and Steve Rubis of Burleson, Texas ; sisters-in-law, Oleta Ballew Buse of Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma and Patsy Ballew Miller of Paris, Arkansas.

Pallbearers for the service include ; Bo Bailey, Bo Deaton, Brian Ashton, Zachary Dunn, Grant Dunn, and Chris Cline.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March10, 2022 from 9 A.M. -8 P.M. at Hart Funeral Home in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Graveside service will be Friday, March 11, 2022 at 10 A.M. at the Ft. Gibson National Cemetery with Reverend Emery Mason presiding. Services are under the direction of Hart Funeral Home in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.