Benjamin Allen "Ben" Bailey, Sr.

Benjamin Allen Bailey, Sr. died, after a brief illness, at his home in Stockton, Alabama, on Good Friday, 2022. Ben was one of nine siblings, with three, Grover Bailey, Jan Bailey Busbee, and Wayne Bailey preceding him in death. The remaining siblings, Bea Bailey Rivers, Alma Bailey Guedry, Barbara Bailey, Myrtle Bailey, and Linda Bailey Snow, join in mourning his passing, along with the love of his life and wife of sixty-three years, June Bailey, his eldest son, Allen, and wife, Chris, his youngest son, Andrew, and wife, Joanna, two grandchildren, Rush Otis and Jack Bailey, and two great-grandchildren, Max and Ben Otis.

Ben was a successful businessman in Bay Minette, where he once served as Chamber of Commerce President and was known by most for his restaurant, The Colonial Inn, a popular gathering place for many years. He was born in Pensacola, Florida, in 1933, to a businessman and farmer, Andrew “Jack” Bailey, and his wife, Louise Powell Bailey. A talented athlete, Ben’s prowess on the football and baseball fields led to offers to play college sports, but he chose, instead, to join the Navy, where he became an accomplished pitcher. Following his stint in that service, Ben was signed by the Baltimore Orioles farm system. Early-onset arthritis ended a promising career but led him back home to his childhood sweetheart and the family and legacy that followed.

Ben found a measure of his earlier athletic prowess and took great satisfaction in the game of golf and the fellowship of good friends who shared that passion. He could be found playing the links of the Holly Hills Municipal Golf Course most Tuesdays and Thursdays, weather and health permitting. He counted those friends among his closest.

During a long, rich life, Ben gave tirelessly to the community he loved. First and foremost, he was a man of faith, expressed as a member and Trustee of the Cottage Hill Presbyterian Church. It led and colored every act and consideration in his later years. Christ was his polestar and his faith the litmus by which he gauged his obligation and found his intent. Ben was a dedicated Mason and Shriner, an active, contributing board member of both North Baldwin Utilities and the Baldwin County Library Cooperative, and deeply involved with the Stockton Civic Club. He was the de facto caretaker for Stockton Memorial Cemetery, where he will rest.

To sum a life of many, wonderful parts, Ben served the needs he found. He loved his community and cherished the friends he made here. He did the work before him to the best of his ability and left everyone who knew him the better for it. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Prodisee Pantry, a Baldwin County food bank.

There will be a private, family ceremony at graveside, followed by a celebration of his life, for the larger community, at a later date and time. 

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