Paul Daniel Bailey Jr. 1940-2026

Paul Daniel Bailey Jr., 86, of Hainesville passed away on March 25, 2026, in Quitman. He was born on Jan. 12, 1940 in the Clover Hill community to Paul D. Bailey Sr. and Bennie Lou (Willingham) Bailey.

A proud graduate of Quitman High School, Class of 1958, Paul went on to build a life rooted in hard work, family and the land he loved. He married the love of his life, Avis Jean Blackwell, in Dallas on Feb. 17, 1960. Paul dedicated over 25 years as a lineman with Wood County Electric Cooperative, retiring at age 55. Retirement didn’t slow him down but simply gave him more time to do what he loved. A lifelong cattle rancher and dairyman, he owned and operated BKJ Dairy for five years before retiring from the co-op and then continued working the dairy full time for another ten years. His days were best spent raising cattle, baling hay and riding a tractor across an open field. In his younger years, he also enjoyed bird hunting, adding to a life spent largely outdoors.

Above all, he treasured time with his family, and his grandchildren lovingly knew him as “Papaw Jr.” Paul was also a faithful member of Hubbard Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Paul D. Bailey Sr. and Bennie Lou Bailey; and his wife, Avis Jean Bailey. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Donna Lattin and husband Kenneth of Winnsboro and Suzanne Carpenter and husband Duane of Grand Saline; two brothers, Doyle Ray Bailey of Quitman and Joe Henry Bailey and wife Sandra of Coke; four grandchildren, Robert “Bobby” Johnson and wife Michelle, Thomas Kyle Johnson, Jared Duane Carpenter and wife Kristin, and Joshua Ryan Carpenter and wife Ashton; eight great grandchildren, Jace Carpenter, Ashlyn Carpenter, Kord Carpenter, Bristol Johnson, Brooks Johnson, Carson Carpenter, Bowen Carpenter and Colter Carpenter; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Funeral services to honor the life of Paul Bailey Jr. were held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026 at Hubbard Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with Brother Fred Morrow officiating. He was laid to rest following the service at Concord Cemetery. The family received friends during visitation on Sunday evening, March 29, 2026 from 6-8 p.m. at Lowe-Gardner Funerals & Cremations.

Serving as pallbearers were Robert “Bobby” Lane Johnson, Thomas Kyle Johnson, Jared Duane Carpenter, Joshua Ryan Carpenter, Brian Hunt and Robert Langhoff. Honorary pallbearers are the Wood County Electric Cooperative crew members. Flowers are appreciated, but if desired, donations in memory of Paul may be made to Concord Cemetery (2465 CR 3230, Quitman, TX 75783).