David Bayless

David Bayless, 88, of Valdosta died Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Fellowship Home. He was born in Indiaola, Mississippi to the late David and Jimmie Lee Oliver Bayless and had lived in Valdosta for many years. Mr. Bayless graduated from Ruleville High School in Ruleville, Mississippi where he played running back for the football team and was known as the galloping ghost because of his speed. He also graduated in June 1958 from Valdosta State College with a degree in Business Administration. He came to Valdosta to be stationed at Moody Air Force and met and married his wife the former Jackie Stalvey. Mr. Bayless was a charter member of Faith Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and later joined Morningside Baptist Church where served as a Sunday School Teacher. He was retired from General Adjustment Bureau as an insurance adjustor and later became branch manager. Mr. Bayless enjoyed fishing in the Gulf, an avid bird hunter, loved gardening and an avid Atlanta Braves Fan. He enjoyed watching John Wayne movies and was proud of his brother, Luster, who was John Wayne’s personal costume designer. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Survivors include by his son and daughter in law, David and Debbie Bayless, daughter and son in law, Cindy and Dale Weaver all of Hahira, son and daughter in law, Jeff and Teresa Bayless; his grandsons, Robbie and Brooke Strickland, Brad Bayless, Blaine Bayless, Brett Bayless, Benjamin Bayless; his great grandchildren, Rylin Strickland, Karsyn Strickland; step grandchildren, Jimmy and Lisa Plair, Roger and Julie Weaver, Lee and Hope Weaver, Ross and Hannah Weaver; his brother, Luster Bayless and his two daughters, Christy Kovacic and Diana Foster all of California; his sister, Mildred Rita and Maurice Williams of Roswell, NM; several nieces and nephews and several step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie Stalvey Bayless and parents in law, Eason and Annie Bell Stalvey.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm, Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Morningside Baptist Church with Rev. Wayne Robertson and Rev. Mickey Wisehart officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the Cat Creek Cemetery. Rev. Roger Mays and Rev. Doug Mays will also officiate at the graveside. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6-8pm at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Morningside Baptist Church. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.