District Elder James George Bailey

                                  Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day…Acts 26:22

                                                        The Man – The Preacher – The Friend

Newport News, Va. Had some fresh news to share on September 1, 1932 when Louise and George Bailey presented James George Bailey to the world making him one of its Virginia’s newest citizens.

Due to some unforeseen circumstances in the lives of his birth parents, his grandparents Bishop Clarance and Lady Caroline Allen took little James to Hartford, Connecticut to live with them where he was loved, encouraged and raised.

James was a precocious, solitary boy who learned about Jesus at an early age as he was being raised in a sanctified household where loving the Lord and going to church was not an option. He no doubt had his own church of friends that he preached to when he wasn’t being preached to by his granddad. P. K’s. often do that.

As he became older, he took a great interest in Boxing and for a while he became a professional boxer. Before that grew into career status, however, he received a letter from his Uncle Sam requesting him to report to duty at Fort Dix Army Base in New Jersey. He served in the United States Army for 2 years and received an honorable discharge in 1955.

James received his primary education from the Hartford Public school system. After carrying out his tour of duty in the Army, however, he went to Newark, New Jersey, where he completed high school by taking evening classes at Central High there in Newark. After receiving his High School diploma, he elevated his educational studies at Rutgers University and Trinity Bible College where he received his Bachelors Degree in Theology.

James worked many years for: The Wilson Jones Office Supply Company, in Elizabeth, N.J. And the ITT LABS, in Nutley, N.J.

During his tour of duty in the Army, many of the solders would go to Newark to church and they would attend Emmanuel Church of Christ, 28 Beacon Street under the pastorate of Elder Solomon Sanders, affectionately known as, “Pop Sanders”. Pop attracted many young people because of his kind nature and loving spirit. James found out about that loving spirit on his first visit to the church. In the midst of all these young good-looking women and handsome men steps James in his crisp army uniform with his James Bailey swagger! Pop Sanders and the membership immediately embraced him and made him feel wanted, needed and loved.

They all saw him but he only saw one, Jacqueline Watkins. He saw, he liked, he asked her to marry him and on, September 5, 1954, they were united in holy matrimony. To that union 5 children were born: Jamie, Quinten, Chris, Olivia, and Alison. James and Jackie were married for 28 years. On April 8, 1982. After a very lengthy illness, God called Jackie home. Her loss although, heavens gain, was a devastating blow to her children, family, church and most of all to James. God said, however, it is not good for a man to be alone and after many months, the God of second chance sent James another beautiful, soul mate named Marion Green, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, till only death could part them. James and Marion shared many trips across the county to Conventions, Councils, family visits and more. God gave them 40 years together.

James George Bailey a second-generation preacher accepted his call to ministry and served at the Emmanuel Church of Christ, 28 Beacon Street, Newark, N. J. for over 30 years under the leadership of Elder Solomon Sanders. He was one of Emmanuel’s faithful Associate Ministers. He has also served as an associate minister at The Christ Church of Deliverance for over 15 years under the Leadership of Suf. Bishop A. Clancey and Bishop Fredrick Jackson at, 159 Blue Hills Avenue in Hartford Ct.

From his baptism in Jesus Name and with the infilling of the Holy Ghost, it was clear that James would become a dynamic and significant contributor to his pastors, churches and the fellowship associations with The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc. and its state and regional branches of the Connecticut District Council.

In 1994 James became the establishmentarian of The First Apostolic Church of Norwalk, Connecticut, where He would pastor, teach Bible Classes, Sunday School, lead the morning worship services and then preach the message of the day. He traveled twice a week back and forth from Hartford to Norwalk to handle this fellowship. Because of his faithfulness to the work of the ministry, he was elevated to District Elder by the Connecticut District Council.

James had many friends in his lifetime, many who had preceded him in death but one of his dearest childhood buddies that often visited him is his friend, Austin Smith from Bloomfield, Conn, and his wife Vivian. The word has it that when Austin was ready to marry Vivian, James was the first person he introduced her to. Another person he considered to be very special friend is Suffragan Bishop Richard Brooks who he worked with in the Connecticut District Council (C.D.C.) down through the years.

The Bible says: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way.”

JAMES GEORGE BAILEY: The Son, The Solider, The Boxer, The Husband, The Daddy, The Preacher, The Teacher, The Pastor, The District Elder, The Friend, A Good Man. All that he was or ever hoped to be he owed it all to God, which was duly noted in his favorite scripture, “Having therefore, obtained help of God, I continue unto this day”.

On July 5, 2025, midafternoon, James George Bailey, heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest. Lay down thy weary one lay down, thy head upon my breast. You have fought a good fight, you’ve kept the faith, you have finished your course.” Without fanfare or fuss, James acquiesced to the will of God.

District Elder James George Bailey was preceded in death by: His mother & father, Louise & George Bailey; His grandparents who raised him, Bishop Clarence & Caroline Allen; His first wife and mother of his children, Jacquline Watkins-Bailey; and his daughter Olivia.

He leaves to cherish his memory and morn his passing: His loving and faithful wife of 40 years, Marion Green-Bailey.

4 Children & their Spouses: Daughter, Jamie and her husband Howard Friday; Sons: Quinten & Chris Bailey; Daughter, Alison and her husband Kevin James. 5 Grandchildren: Sharise, Jasmine, Kevin, Martin, and Sherri; 5 Great Grandchildren: Tahlee, Javaughn, Savannah, Kay, & Kevin

A host of nieces, nephews, special friends and church families.

A viewing will be held Monday July 14, 2025 from 9-10 at the Christ Church of Deliverance, 159 Blue Hills Avenue, Hartford, followed by a Funeral Service at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at the CT State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown at 1 PM with military honors. Please visit carmonfuneralhome.com for condolences or directions.