Mr. Sam J. Bailey Jr., 88, of 1375 Will Bailey Road, Hartwell, died Friday, December 30 at his home.

Born in South Carolina on October 8, 1923, he was son of the Sam J. Bailey Sr. and Lucy Burns Bailey.He was a retired Machine operator for Monroe Auto Equipment Company, member of the Rock Springs Baptist Church and a former deacon.

Mr. Bailey is survived by his wife, Joy Dean Thrasher Bailey of the home; a son, Keith Bailey and his wife Lucille of Lavonia; a daughter, Ann Ashworth and her husband Donnie of Royston; four grandchildren, Amanda Jordan and her husband Chuck, Kelly Lewis, William Ashworth and Elizabeth Ashworth; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Charles Bailey of Lavonia, Horace "Duck" Bailey of Hartwell and Jimmy Bailey of Commerce; a sister, Betty Brown of Lavonia also survives.Mr. Bailey was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William "Bud" Bailey and three sisters, Ruth LeCroy, Nina Welborn and Louise Bailey.

Funeral services will be Monday, January 2, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Rev. David Wilson and Mr. Fred Greenway officiating.Burial will follow in the Nancy Hart Memorial Park.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell where the family will receive friends from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Monday afternoon.The family is at the home.Floral arrangements are optional and memorials may be made to Odyssey Health Care, 855 Gaines School Road, Suite G, Athens GA30605.