John Franklin Bailey, Jr.

Portsmouth - John Franklin Bailey Jr., peacefully passed at Maryview Medical Center, on April 20, 2012, with his wife and son by his side. He was born in Hampton, Va. to the late John F. and Lillian Bailey on September 19,1920.

He graduated from Pheonix High School, Hampton, Va. and received a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Hampton University and a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. He was an educator with several school systems including 29 years with Portsmouth Public Schools, where he retired in 1982, after serving as a chemistry teacher at Norcom High School, director of Norcom Night School and assistant principal at Alf J. Mapp Jr. High School and Cradock High School.

He was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Portsmouth, VA, WWII and Korean Conflict army veteran, life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Portsmouth Chapter and served with many other civic and professional organizations.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Alberta Q. Bailey, a son, Keith Q. Bailey, a sister, Marion B. Grady, Detroit, MI, a granddaughter , Nadia Bailey-Campbell and four great grandchildren. Preceded in death by a son, Vernon F. Bailey, grandson, Donovan F. Bailey, sister, Neolus Bailey and brother James Bailey.

A funeral service will be held at Noon Friday, April 27, 2012, at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Portsmouth, Va. Interment will follow in Roosevelt Memorial Park, Chesapeake, Va. Viewing will beginThursday at Noon and the family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 7 p.m. where the Alpha Rites will take place. The body will be placed in church on Friday at 11:00am. Fisher Funeral Home, 1520 Effingham Street, Portsmouth, Va. www.fisherfuneral.com

Published in The Virginian Pilot on April 25, 2012