James Kenneth Bailey

James Kenneth “Ken” Bailey, 73, of Reidsville, North Carolina went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 23rd, 2026 at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital surrounded by loved ones. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 30th at 2:00 P.M at Wilkerson Funeral Home with Pastor Phil Surrett officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M on Thursday, January 29th at Wilkerson Funeral Home. 

Ken was born in Reidsville, NC, on February 9th, 1952 to the late James Coates Bailey and the late Virginia Evelyn Minter Bailey. He lived in Rockingham County his entire life. He was a retired employee of Southern Mechanical and Associates, enjoyed horse riding, woodworking, family gatherings, and spoiling his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Along with his parents, he is proceeded in death by his wife Deborah Hamlett Bailey, Daughter Kimberly Joyce Bailey, and brother Rodger Lloyd Bailey Sr. 

He is survived by his daughters Pamela Dawn Bailey Wright (Jon), and Nicole Judy Bailey (John); Brother Larry Edwin Bailey (Chad), and Sister Joyce Bailey Stone (David); grandchildren Britney Holbrook (Josh), Farrah McKinney (Justin), Julie Summers (Jesse), Dawson Wright, Paige Wright (Bailey), Dakota Jarrell (Kimberly), Tanya Southard (Joey), Daisia Kernodle (Caleb) and Delila Shelton; Great grandchildren Maliah Benfield, Ryan Benfield Jr, Jeremih Benfield, Ember Holbrook, Joshlynn Talbot, Nataliee Moore, Madison Moore, Liam Moore, Colton Moore, and Wessley Baker. 

Ken was an exceptional father and grandfather who was always willing to lend a helping hand. He knew no strangers and treated everyone he met with genuine love and kindness. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched.