
May 17, 1988 - December 12, 2025
Edward “Tater” Bailey, age 37, resident of Menlo, Georgia, passed away on Friday, December 12,2025 at Erlanger Hospital, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Mr. Bailey, son of Marjorie Ann Smithson and the late Eddie Bailey, was born May 17,1988 in Nashville, Tennessee. He worked as a diesel mechanic for BJ’s Trucking and later for Cowart Mulch as a forklift operator. Mr. Bailey enjoyed working on cars, fishing, and processing deer. At home, many would see him listening to country music and country rap. He would also watch western movies and shows, particularly Heartland. Most of all, he looked forward to spending quality time with his family, specifically his kids and grandchildren. The family remembers him as the “life of the party” and one who spread joy to everyone.
Other than his father, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Mark Briscoe and Bobby Lee Briscoe.
He is survived by his mother, Margie (Gordon) Parks; seven children, Hagan Grooms, Michael (Chessie) Bailey, Kelley Chastain, Marie Bonnie, Michael Chastain, Blake Bailey, and Juan Parkman; one sister, Hope Chrystine Martin; four grandchildren, Dralian Norman, Brystol May Bailey, Riverlyn Rose, Dusti Rose, Emma Mullins, Bryson Mullins; former spouse, Nikki Chastain; aunt, Wanda Tinker; his dog, Diesel; many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services are scheduled at the Chapel of W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, 555 West Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia on Saturday, December 20, 2025, 2 p.m. with Pastor Eric Youngblood officiating. Interment will follow at Alsobrook Family Cemetery, 580 Long Branch Road, Menlo, Georgia. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, December 19, 2025 from 4-8 p.m.
Arrangements by W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, 555 West Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.
Mr. Bailey, son of Marjorie Ann Smithson and the late Eddie Bailey, was born May 17,1988 in Nashville, Tennessee. He worked as a diesel mechanic for BJ’s Trucking and later for Cowart Mulch as a forklift operator. Mr. Bailey enjoyed working on cars, fishing, and processing deer. At home, many would see him listening to country music and country rap. He would also watch western movies and shows, particularly Heartland. Most of all, he looked forward to spending quality time with his family, specifically his kids and grandchildren. The family remembers him as the “life of the party” and one who spread joy to everyone.
Other than his father, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Mark Briscoe and Bobby Lee Briscoe.
He is survived by his mother, Margie (Gordon) Parks; seven children, Hagan Grooms, Michael (Chessie) Bailey, Kelley Chastain, Marie Bonnie, Michael Chastain, Blake Bailey, and Juan Parkman; one sister, Hope Chrystine Martin; four grandchildren, Dralian Norman, Brystol May Bailey, Riverlyn Rose, Dusti Rose, Emma Mullins, Bryson Mullins; former spouse, Nikki Chastain; aunt, Wanda Tinker; his dog, Diesel; many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services are scheduled at the Chapel of W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, 555 West Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia on Saturday, December 20, 2025, 2 p.m. with Pastor Eric Youngblood officiating. Interment will follow at Alsobrook Family Cemetery, 580 Long Branch Road, Menlo, Georgia. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, December 19, 2025 from 4-8 p.m.
Arrangements by W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, 555 West Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.
Visitation

Wilson Funeral Home – Ft. Oglethorpe Chapel
555 West Cloud Springs Road
Ft. Oglethorpe, GA 30742
(706) 866-5555
555 West Cloud Springs Road
Ft. Oglethorpe, GA 30742
(706) 866-5555
Service/Mass

Wilson Funeral Home – Ft. Oglethorpe Chapel
555 West Cloud Springs Road
Ft. Oglethorpe, GA 30742
(706) 866-5555
555 West Cloud Springs Road
Ft. Oglethorpe, GA 30742
(706) 866-5555
Funeral Home in Charge

Wilson Funeral Home – Ft. Oglethorpe Chapel
555 West Cloud Springs Road
Ft. Oglethorpe, GA 30742
(706) 866-5555
555 West Cloud Springs Road
Ft. Oglethorpe, GA 30742
(706) 866-5555

