Joan Seever Bailey

Ahleida Joan Seever Bailey, 74, of Valdosta, died on May 9, 2014 at her home, following a valiant fight with Parkinson's Disease and cancer. Born March 2, 1940 in Richmond, Virginia to Harold and Ahleida Seever and raised in Florence, South Carolina and Mobile, Alabama, Joanie was a true child of the South. Harold Seever was the prominent pastor of Dauphin Way Baptist Church of Mobile, which was at that time the largest Baptist Church east of the Mississippi River, and from him and her mother Joanie learned that the greatest value in life comes from serving others – an attribute that formed the basic thread that ran through every aspect of her relationships, at work, at home, and in her community.
After graduating from Murphy High School in Mobile and receiving two degrees from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, she married then-Samford professor Dr. Hugh C. Bailey.

The couple then embarked on a grand career adventure. While in Birmingham, Joanie assisted Hugh with the publication of seven books and a television program, while honing her skills as a events planner and unofficial assistant to the Samford University First Lady. Joan served as her husband's chief helpmeet during the next phases of his career as Academic Vice President at Francis Marion College in Florence, South Carolina and then as President of Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia. During her 23 years as First Lady of Valdosta State, she was "mom" to more than 32, 000 graduates and played an instrumental role in making the university a landmark in the region. Her community service was wide-reaching and she was a contributor to dozens of community organizations, most notably serving as the Board Chairman of the Partnership for Health Cancer Fund and The Community Depot. She is the author of the book A Walk With God, published by Blurb.com. Joan's awards for community service are too numerous to list.

Joan Bailey was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Hugh Coleman Bailey. She is survived by her two daughters and their families, Debra Jane, and son-in-law Mark Helwig, and children Clare (11) and Bailey (5) all of Athens, GA; and Laura Joan, and son-in-law Thomas Singletary, and grandchildren Alex (16) and Avery (6), all of Tallahassee, FL.

A Memorial Service for Mrs. Bailey will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at Christ Episcopal Church in Valdosta, GA. The Reverend Joye Cantrell and the Reverend Jim Elliott will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2014, at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. The family asks that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Hugh C. Bailey Scholarship Fund at the Valdosta State University Foundation, The Partnership for Cancer Fund, 203 Woodrow Wilson Dr., Valdosta, GA 31602 or The Community Depot, 1602 North Ashley Street, Valdosta, GA. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home, Valdosta, GA.




Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602