Reginald Palford "R.P." Bailey, 81, of Clarkton, Mo., died Sunday, May 16, 2004, at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark.

Born Oct. 1, 1922, in Clarkton, son of the late Virgil Palford "V.P." and Junia Byrd Bailey, he was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in WWII and a farmer. He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Clarkton, and the Four Mile Masonic Lodge No. 212, A.F. & A.M.

On Dec. 25, 1945, in Campbell, Mo., he married Freida L. Key, who survives.

Survivors also include two daughters, Carolyn Croom and husband, Dow, and Polly Orr, of Clarkton; four grandchildren, Kimberly Anne Heckemeyer, of Sikeston, Mo., Sarah Croom, of Vail, Colo., Dr. Reginald Ashley Orr, of Atlanta, Ga. and Leanna Hinerman, of Orlando, Fla. and four great-grandchildren, Caroline and Catherine Heckemeyer and Jay and Calvin Hinerman.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, Tuesday, May 18, at the Landess Funeral Home in Malden, Mo.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, at the Landess Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ladell Bailey and Dr. Reginald Ashley Orr officiating.

Burial will follow at the Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 211 N. New Madrid St., Sikeston, Mo. 63801.