James "Rusty" Bailey of Pecks Mill passed away November 13, 2024, at the age of 70 at his residence.

He was born June 23, 1954, in Holden, WV, the son of the late Robert and Madeline Bailey.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Dee, three brothers, Bud, Bubbo and Bit, his father and mother-in-law, Dewey & Evelyn Brumfield and three brothers-in-law, Charlie Brumfield, Larry Brumfield and Kenny Adkins.

Rusty was known to be the ultimate handy man, there was nothing black electrical tape and a multi-tool couldn't fix. He was always willing to lend a hand with any project. Rusty was a proud member of the UMWA and the Dale Earnhardt fan club. He worked most of his life as a heavy equipment mechanic in the coal industry. In his eyes, there was nothing better than country music and Neapolitan ice cream. He loved a good practical joke. If you ask anyone he worked with at Hobet, they would tell you the same thing.

He was a proud father to Staci and Stephanie, he taught them how to change a tire, fix dry wall, and how to love and take care of your family. Rusty was the worlds best papaw to Maddy. If you saw one, you saw the other. They spent a lot of time trying to stay out of trouble with Nana. He was also a great grandfather to Averly and James who he let get by with anything. Rusty's greatest treasure in life was his beautiful wife Sharon who he loved more than anything. The sun rose and sat in her.

Rusty is survived by his wife Sharon, daughters Staci Bailey, Stephanie (Jimmy) Mullins, granddaughters Maddy (William) Turner and Mercadize Mullins, great grandchildren Averly and James, brothers, Bob (Loraine) Bailey and Danny "Skip" (Diane) Bailey, and an extremely large amount of nieces and nephews who he loved very much. Also by special family, Dee & Sue White and Carl and Karen Ann Lambert and their kids and grandkids.

Services will be held at 1:00pm, Monday, November 18, 2024 at Freeman Funeral Home with Richard Belcher officiating. Burial will follow at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Pecks Mill, WV.

Visitation will be on Sunday, November 17, 2024 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be friends and family.

Freeman Funeral Home, Chapmanville, WV is in charge of the arrangements.