Obituary:
Lewis County Herald, Thursday, August 19, 1993
"Rites Held for Alida Bailey
Alida Bailey, 83, 27 Walnut Circle, died Saturday, August 14 Hillview Healthcare Center in Columbia.
Funeral service was held Monday, August 16 at McDonald Funeral Home with L. C. Loveless, minister of Gordonsburg Church of Christ, officiating. Burial was in the Palestine Cemetery.
Mrs. Bailey was born in Lewis County August 26, 1909, a daughter of the late Newton and Viola Ann Carroll Churchwell. Also preceding her in death was her husband, Gurtis Bailey, and three sisters, Roena Clayton, Grace Pace, and Thelma Grimes. She was a member of Salem Church of Christ.
Survivors include two brothers, Newton Robert Churchwell of Lexington and John Churchwell of Columbia; two sisters, Cora Hinson of Hohenwald, and Nellie F. Runions of Mt. Pleasant."
(end transcription- hmh)
--------------------------
From: Hickman County Times, Monday, September 17, 2010;
"Yesteryear", by L. T. Aydelotte, from his book "As the Swan Runs' ; Memories and Stories from Swan Creek, Hickman County, Tennessee'.
"The Most Interesting Man I Ever Knew -
Gertis Bailey may have been the most interesting man that I have known.
He had almost no schooling. He was what we might call illiterate, but he had an excellent mind. He could count and figure in his own way. He had what would be called a disadvantaged childhood. I think that he did not know his Daddy, and he was moved about from place to place as a boy. At an early age he learned how to work and how to get by.
I remember when he started coming to church at Salem. He seldom came inside saying that he was not fit to come to church. It is likely that the main reason he came was because a certain young lady was always at there [sic]. This must have been in the late '30s.
He was already a very accomplished worker and an excellent storyteller. I wish I could hear him tell about the dogs in the T Model again. Others might tell his story but he acted it out as no one else could. Hard work or something had made him strong. His arm muscle was the envy of all the boys. He liked to get a boy to put his finger in the crook of his elbow so he could flex his muscle and mash the bohy's finger. Oh yes, he was a hero to most of us.
He married his sweetheart, Alida Churchwell. She was special to us because she helped to raise us. She helped mother for some time before they married. She called him 'Boy'. He called her the old woman. (I wonder if she tried to mother him).
The first place that I know where they lived was the 'Jake; house on the Mayfield place. They were living there when their only child was born. The creek was up so the doctor had to walk from the bluff on our place to get there. He was too late and the little girl did not live.
Later they moved to a little house that belonged to Mr. Clarence Edwards. This was near the road that leads to Bat Cave. He built a shop beside the road. Then they bought the property that Mr. Sam Long had left. They stayed there for several years.
During and after the war years, he was real busy in the shop and he shod many horses and mules. The war had made farmers have to 'make do' or do without. Gertis was able to fix or make something that would work. He had people come from far and near to shoe their animals.
He could weld in his forge but he never wanted anything to do with electricity. He would give you an honest day's work, but he would not get up early.
He always performed better before an audience. I have been there when he had several spectators, As a matter of fact, many of us enjoyed a trip to his shop. Time took it's toll, and he was not able to do the hard work so he moved to the Fite place.
He bought a riding mower. He and Alida took care of the Palestine Cemetery. He worked some at sawmills. He could do almost anything, but I think the best thing he ever did was to marry Alida.
Some things that I remember are as follows:
The way he could make an anvil ring.
That he never said he could fix anything.
That he never had what he needed.
That he did not care if you had to wait on him.
That he had some trouble with big words.
He was a valued friend and neightbor who many have done more with what he had than most of us." (end transcription- hmh)
Lewis County Herald, Thursday, August 19, 1993
"Rites Held for Alida Bailey
Alida Bailey, 83, 27 Walnut Circle, died Saturday, August 14 Hillview Healthcare Center in Columbia.
Funeral service was held Monday, August 16 at McDonald Funeral Home with L. C. Loveless, minister of Gordonsburg Church of Christ, officiating. Burial was in the Palestine Cemetery.
Mrs. Bailey was born in Lewis County August 26, 1909, a daughter of the late Newton and Viola Ann Carroll Churchwell. Also preceding her in death was her husband, Gurtis Bailey, and three sisters, Roena Clayton, Grace Pace, and Thelma Grimes. She was a member of Salem Church of Christ.
Survivors include two brothers, Newton Robert Churchwell of Lexington and John Churchwell of Columbia; two sisters, Cora Hinson of Hohenwald, and Nellie F. Runions of Mt. Pleasant."
(end transcription- hmh)
--------------------------
From: Hickman County Times, Monday, September 17, 2010;
"Yesteryear", by L. T. Aydelotte, from his book "As the Swan Runs' ; Memories and Stories from Swan Creek, Hickman County, Tennessee'.
"The Most Interesting Man I Ever Knew -
Gertis Bailey may have been the most interesting man that I have known.
He had almost no schooling. He was what we might call illiterate, but he had an excellent mind. He could count and figure in his own way. He had what would be called a disadvantaged childhood. I think that he did not know his Daddy, and he was moved about from place to place as a boy. At an early age he learned how to work and how to get by.
I remember when he started coming to church at Salem. He seldom came inside saying that he was not fit to come to church. It is likely that the main reason he came was because a certain young lady was always at there [sic]. This must have been in the late '30s.
He was already a very accomplished worker and an excellent storyteller. I wish I could hear him tell about the dogs in the T Model again. Others might tell his story but he acted it out as no one else could. Hard work or something had made him strong. His arm muscle was the envy of all the boys. He liked to get a boy to put his finger in the crook of his elbow so he could flex his muscle and mash the bohy's finger. Oh yes, he was a hero to most of us.
He married his sweetheart, Alida Churchwell. She was special to us because she helped to raise us. She helped mother for some time before they married. She called him 'Boy'. He called her the old woman. (I wonder if she tried to mother him).
The first place that I know where they lived was the 'Jake; house on the Mayfield place. They were living there when their only child was born. The creek was up so the doctor had to walk from the bluff on our place to get there. He was too late and the little girl did not live.
Later they moved to a little house that belonged to Mr. Clarence Edwards. This was near the road that leads to Bat Cave. He built a shop beside the road. Then they bought the property that Mr. Sam Long had left. They stayed there for several years.
During and after the war years, he was real busy in the shop and he shod many horses and mules. The war had made farmers have to 'make do' or do without. Gertis was able to fix or make something that would work. He had people come from far and near to shoe their animals.
He could weld in his forge but he never wanted anything to do with electricity. He would give you an honest day's work, but he would not get up early.
He always performed better before an audience. I have been there when he had several spectators, As a matter of fact, many of us enjoyed a trip to his shop. Time took it's toll, and he was not able to do the hard work so he moved to the Fite place.
He bought a riding mower. He and Alida took care of the Palestine Cemetery. He worked some at sawmills. He could do almost anything, but I think the best thing he ever did was to marry Alida.
Some things that I remember are as follows:
The way he could make an anvil ring.
That he never said he could fix anything.
That he never had what he needed.
That he did not care if you had to wait on him.
That he had some trouble with big words.
He was a valued friend and neightbor who many have done more with what he had than most of us." (end transcription- hmh)
Obituary:
Lewis County Herald, Thursday, August 19, 1993
"Rites Held for Alida Bailey
Alida Bailey, 83, 27 Walnut Circle, died Saturday, August 14 Hillview Healthcare Center in Columbia.
Funeral service was held Monday, August 16 at McDonald Funeral Home with L. C. Loveless, minister of Gordonsburg Church of Christ, officiating. Burial was in the Palestine Cemetery.
Mrs. Bailey was born in Lewis County August 26, 1909, a daughter of the late Newton and Viola Ann Carroll Churchwell. Also preceding her in death was her husband, Gurtis Bailey, and three sisters, Roena Clayton, Grace Pace, and Thelma Grimes. She was a member of Salem Church of Christ.
Survivors include two brothers, Newton Robert Churchwell of Lexington and John Churchwell of Columbia; two sisters, Cora Hinson of Hohenwald, and Nellie F. Runions of Mt. Pleasant."
(end transcription- hmh)
--------------------------
From: Hickman County Times, Monday, September 17, 2010;
"Yesteryear", by L. T. Aydelotte, from his book "As the Swan Runs' ; Memories and Stories from Swan Creek, Hickman County, Tennessee'.
"The Most Interesting Man I Ever Knew -
Gertis Bailey may have been the most interesting man that I have known.
He had almost no schooling. He was what we might call illiterate, but he had an excellent mind. He could count and figure in his own way. He had what would be called a disadvantaged childhood. I think that he did not know his Daddy, and he was moved about from place to place as a boy. At an early age he learned how to work and how to get by.
I remember when he started coming to church at Salem. He seldom came inside saying that he was not fit to come to church. It is likely that the main reason he came was because a certain young lady was always at there [sic]. This must have been in the late '30s.
He was already a very accomplished worker and an excellent storyteller. I wish I could hear him tell about the dogs in the T Model again. Others might tell his story but he acted it out as no one else could. Hard work or something had made him strong. His arm muscle was the envy of all the boys. He liked to get a boy to put his finger in the crook of his elbow so he could flex his muscle and mash the bohy's finger. Oh yes, he was a hero to most of us.
He married his sweetheart, Alida Churchwell. She was special to us because she helped to raise us. She helped mother for some time before they married. She called him 'Boy'. He called her the old woman. (I wonder if she tried to mother him).
The first place that I know where they lived was the 'Jake; house on the Mayfield place. They were living there when their only child was born. The creek was up so the doctor had to walk from the bluff on our place to get there. He was too late and the little girl did not live.
Later they moved to a little house that belonged to Mr. Clarence Edwards. This was near the road that leads to Bat Cave. He built a shop beside the road. Then they bought the property that Mr. Sam Long had left. They stayed there for several years.
During and after the war years, he was real busy in the shop and he shod many horses and mules. The war had made farmers have to 'make do' or do without. Gertis was able to fix or make something that would work. He had people come from far and near to shoe their animals.
He could weld in his forge but he never wanted anything to do with electricity. He would give you an honest day's work, but he would not get up early.
He always performed better before an audience. I have been there when he had several spectators, As a matter of fact, many of us enjoyed a trip to his shop. Time took it's toll, and he was not able to do the hard work so he moved to the Fite place.
He bought a riding mower. He and Alida took care of the Palestine Cemetery. He worked some at sawmills. He could do almost anything, but I think the best thing he ever did was to marry Alida.
Some things that I remember are as follows:
The way he could make an anvil ring.
That he never said he could fix anything.
That he never had what he needed.
That he did not care if you had to wait on him.
That he had some trouble with big words.
He was a valued friend and neightbor who many have done more with what he had than most of us." (end transcription- hmh)
Lewis County Herald, Thursday, August 19, 1993
"Rites Held for Alida Bailey
Alida Bailey, 83, 27 Walnut Circle, died Saturday, August 14 Hillview Healthcare Center in Columbia.
Funeral service was held Monday, August 16 at McDonald Funeral Home with L. C. Loveless, minister of Gordonsburg Church of Christ, officiating. Burial was in the Palestine Cemetery.
Mrs. Bailey was born in Lewis County August 26, 1909, a daughter of the late Newton and Viola Ann Carroll Churchwell. Also preceding her in death was her husband, Gurtis Bailey, and three sisters, Roena Clayton, Grace Pace, and Thelma Grimes. She was a member of Salem Church of Christ.
Survivors include two brothers, Newton Robert Churchwell of Lexington and John Churchwell of Columbia; two sisters, Cora Hinson of Hohenwald, and Nellie F. Runions of Mt. Pleasant."
(end transcription- hmh)
--------------------------
From: Hickman County Times, Monday, September 17, 2010;
"Yesteryear", by L. T. Aydelotte, from his book "As the Swan Runs' ; Memories and Stories from Swan Creek, Hickman County, Tennessee'.
"The Most Interesting Man I Ever Knew -
Gertis Bailey may have been the most interesting man that I have known.
He had almost no schooling. He was what we might call illiterate, but he had an excellent mind. He could count and figure in his own way. He had what would be called a disadvantaged childhood. I think that he did not know his Daddy, and he was moved about from place to place as a boy. At an early age he learned how to work and how to get by.
I remember when he started coming to church at Salem. He seldom came inside saying that he was not fit to come to church. It is likely that the main reason he came was because a certain young lady was always at there [sic]. This must have been in the late '30s.
He was already a very accomplished worker and an excellent storyteller. I wish I could hear him tell about the dogs in the T Model again. Others might tell his story but he acted it out as no one else could. Hard work or something had made him strong. His arm muscle was the envy of all the boys. He liked to get a boy to put his finger in the crook of his elbow so he could flex his muscle and mash the bohy's finger. Oh yes, he was a hero to most of us.
He married his sweetheart, Alida Churchwell. She was special to us because she helped to raise us. She helped mother for some time before they married. She called him 'Boy'. He called her the old woman. (I wonder if she tried to mother him).
The first place that I know where they lived was the 'Jake; house on the Mayfield place. They were living there when their only child was born. The creek was up so the doctor had to walk from the bluff on our place to get there. He was too late and the little girl did not live.
Later they moved to a little house that belonged to Mr. Clarence Edwards. This was near the road that leads to Bat Cave. He built a shop beside the road. Then they bought the property that Mr. Sam Long had left. They stayed there for several years.
During and after the war years, he was real busy in the shop and he shod many horses and mules. The war had made farmers have to 'make do' or do without. Gertis was able to fix or make something that would work. He had people come from far and near to shoe their animals.
He could weld in his forge but he never wanted anything to do with electricity. He would give you an honest day's work, but he would not get up early.
He always performed better before an audience. I have been there when he had several spectators, As a matter of fact, many of us enjoyed a trip to his shop. Time took it's toll, and he was not able to do the hard work so he moved to the Fite place.
He bought a riding mower. He and Alida took care of the Palestine Cemetery. He worked some at sawmills. He could do almost anything, but I think the best thing he ever did was to marry Alida.
Some things that I remember are as follows:
The way he could make an anvil ring.
That he never said he could fix anything.
That he never had what he needed.
That he did not care if you had to wait on him.
That he had some trouble with big words.
He was a valued friend and neightbor who many have done more with what he had than most of us." (end transcription- hmh)
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