BAYLESS, Brad O’Keese

Brad O’Keese Bayless, 46, of Pinehurst, NC and formerly of Giles County, unexpectedly passed away Friday evening, May 15, 2015. Born February 17, 1969 in Gainesville, Florida to Roy & Patricia Bayless, the second of three children. Brad grew up in Pearisburg, VA, but remained a true blue Florida Gators fan. Brad attended high school at Giles High in Pearisburg, where his mom taught geometry and his dad was an avid football coach, and where Brad loved playing Spartan Golf. Also while at Giles, he met his sweetheart Christy Rhodes. Brad was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was 18 years old. That choice would guide Brad’s life and the decisions that he would make throughout. He received a degree in instrumentation from New River Community College. Brad worked 10 years at Chemical Lime in Goldbond, VA, and 15 years for the Imerys Corporation in Bennettsville, SC, where he developed another branch of family, The Imerys Family. Christy and Brad were married December 14, 1991. As a faithful member of the LDS Church, Brad and his sweetheart were able to go to the Washington D.C. Temple to be sealed together for time and all eternity. While Brad was very active serving in his Church, he was happiest in his divine calling as a father to his six children. Brad loved spending time with his children laughing and goofing off while spending time together as a family. He enjoyed attending, baseball, basketball, and football games, cross country, track and swim meets, dance recitals, talent shows, choir concerts, plays, musicals and did not fall asleep at one (that we know of). He was always proud of his children’s’ strength in the church, and their faith in Christ. Brad is survived by his wife, Christy, and their six children, Braylin, Culley, Addalie, Delaney, Sofie, and Forden, his son-in-law Kevin, his granddaughter Vivian, sisters Lesa and Amy, six nieces and nine nephews, who he loved very much, his mother Patricia, and 96 year old grandmother Pauline. They will miss their husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle dearly, but look forward to the day when they will be reunited as an eternal family. Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 5:45 pm at Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at the gravesite from 5:00 pm until 5:45 pm before the services. The Kendall Funeral Home in Pembroke is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent by visiting kendallfuneralhome.com.