Charles Bailey was born in Maryville, TN on February 10, 1947, and passed away April 15, 2026.

Charles was a graduate of Friendsville High School and Carson-Newman University, where he earned his degree to teach in the public school system. Later, he earned his master's degree from the University of Tennessee.

His career as an educator was focused at Greenback High School where he was a coach, teacher, athletics director, vice principal and principal during his tenure. It is an understatement to say that he relished his time at Greenback. He spoke of the students and fellow educators often and loved the Greenback community.

God called Charles into a preaching ministry and was voted to be the bi-vocational pastor of Oak View Baptist Church in 1977 and shortly thereafter was called to be the full-time pastor. During that time, he felt like an advanced degree was necessary, so he pursued and earned his doctorate in Biblical Studies while he was at Oak View. The people of Oak View were so close to his heart and will forever be near to the hearts of his family.

In 1989, God called Charles to leave Oak View and become the pastor of Laurel Bank Baptist Church. He enjoyed a long, fruitful ministry that spanned 26 years until his "first" retirement. He loved the people of Laurel Bank, and they loved him, too. His family will never forget the kindness and love shown to him.

Because he loved the preaching of the gospel and it was such an important part of his life, he came out of retirement to pastor the loving congregation of Central Baptist of Alcoa.

One of the greatest compliments you can say about pastor could be said of him: His life at home was the same as his public persona. He was an honest, funny, creative, loving, genuine man who followed Christ and served his Lord his entire life.

His ministry was just an overflow of the true life he lived. He was proud of his time on the wheat harvest as a teenager. He was proud of his association with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, his participation in the Chilhowee Baptist Association was one of the weekly activities he enjoyed most, and he was incredibly proud to be the home plate umpire in the championship game of the very first Smoky Mountain Classic Softball tournament.

But what he was proud of most was that God gave him longevity in Christian ministry and all of his family have also become followers of Christ.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Johnnie Mae Bailey, his other brother Keith Bailey and his first wife, Jane (Davenport) Bailey.

He is survived by his second wife of 50 years, JoAnn (Cargile) Bailey, known to him as "sweet fern", his brother Ronda (Lou) Bailey, His two sons, Lee and his wife JoAnne (Everett) Bailey, Jackson and his wife (Kimberly (Whitman) Bailey and his 6 grandchildren, Maxwell Bailey, Levi Bailey, Ella Bailey, Emma Bailey, Dean Bailey and Audrey Bailey.

Funeral service will be held at 7:00 PM Friday, April 17, 2026, at Broadway Baptist Church, 2329 East Broadway Ave Maryville, TN 37801, Pastor Lee Bailey, Pastor Jackson Bailey and Pastor Tony Collins officiating. A private family graveside will be held at Grandview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday at Broadway Baptist Church.