One of Presbyterian College’s most newsworthy graduates – a Republican political operative and the architect of the “Southern Strategy” that aided Richard Nixon’s bid for the presidency – passed away last fall after a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease. Harry Shuler Dent ’51 died on Sept. 28, 2007, at the age of 77 in his home in Columbia, S.C. – leaving a legacy as a mover and shaker in the world of national politics and, later, as a prominent lay minister. Once dubbed the “Southern-fried Rasputin” by political adversaries and hailed by allies for setting the “gold standard” for the GOP, Dent served as an aide to South Carolina’s pre-eminent political figure – the late U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond – before joining Nixon’s administration as White House counsel to the president. After Nixon won re-election in 1972, he accepted the position of general counsel to the Republican National Committee. For his part in a 1974 fundraising operation for the Nixon administration that was a precursor to the Watergate scandal, Dent pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to one month of unsupervised probation. In 1981, however, the longtime Southern Baptist who organized the first White House prayer breakfast closed his law practice in Columbia to study the Bible at Columbia International University. The St. Matthews, S.C., native organized 18 missions to Romania after the fall of Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989. For his work there, he was awarded an honorary citizenship. In one article, Dent reflected on his political past. “I always thought I knew what sin was,” he said. “But I have learned that the real sin is in selfishness, or pride. And politics is very selfish, very self-oriented. And I’ve been part of that.” Dent served as the first director of the Billy Graham Lay Center in Asheville, N.C., and was the founder of Laity Alive and Serving, a ministry that took him across the United States and around the world. He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest citizen honor, and also earned the Good Shepherd Award from the Boy Scouts of America, the Golden Palmetto Father-Son Eagle Scout of the Year award, the Salt and Light Award from the Southern Baptist Convention, and the Alumni of the Year Award from Columbia International University. Both PC and Charleston Southern University presented Dent with honorary doctorates. He served as a trustee at Charleston Southern and Southern Seminary and was a member of the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. He served as the chair of the 1986 Billy Graham Crusade in Columbia and as vice chair of the 1996 Carolinas Billy Graham Crusade in Charlotte, N.C. He earned the Golden Apple Award for his work in character education in the schools of South Carolina and was the author of five books, including The Prodigal South Returns to Power; Coverup: The Watergate in All of Us; Right Versus Wrong; A Layman Looks Through the Bible for God’s Will; and Teaching Jack and Jill: Right Versus Wrong in the Home and Schools. A veteran of the Korean War, Dent was survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty Francis Dent of Columbia; four children; and nine grandchildren.

William Jerome “Jerry” McCord ’54 of Columbia, S.C., died June 22, 2007, at the age of 75.

Born in Manning, S.C., he received an MSPH degree from the University of North Carolina in 1957 and received certification from the Yale School of Alcohol Studies in 1957. In 1983, PC awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.

In 1954, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division. He retired as a lieutenant colonel after 24 years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

For more than 35 years he worked to build a system in South Carolina to help its citizens avoid and defeat addiction. He was the inaugural director of the S.C. Alcoholic Center, currently the Department of Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Services. He taught at both of South Carolina’s medical schools, as both a clinical and adjunct professor, and as an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina College of Health. Among his numerous state affiliations, he served on the State Council on Maternal, Infant, and Child Health; the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect; the board of trustees for the S.C. Partners of the Americas; and for 30 years as a member of the S.C. Public Health Association.

Among other national professional affiliations, he served three terms as president of the Alcohol and Drug Problems Association of North America, served on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Head Start Partnership to Promote Substance Free Communities, and chaired the expert panel National Center for the Advancement of Prevention.

His years of dedicated service have brought him recognition at the state and national levels. Among his awards: Outstanding PC Alumnus of the Year award (’72); Service to Mankind award, SC School of Alcohol and Drug Studies (’78); Outstanding Service award, Southeastern Conference on Alcohol and Drug Problems, Inc. (’79); Child Advocate award, S.C. Chapter of the Academy of Pediatrics and the S.C. Pediatric Society (’87); Award for Services to South Carolina in Fighting Drug Abuse, S.C. Coalition of Black Church Leaders (’87); Leadership in Prevention award, National Association of Prevention Professionals and Advocates (’93); Distinguished Service award, S.C. Correctional Association (’94); Lifetime Career Achievement award, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (’94); and Order of the Palmetto (’95).              

He was an active member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder. He also served as a member and former chairman of the Eastminster Cares Counseling Center.

Leslie Hamner Patterson ’55 of Columbia, SC, died June 27, 2007, at the age of 74.

Born in Staunton, Va., he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant after serving with the Army Security Agency in Germany. He went to work for Blue Cross/ Blue Shield in 1960. In the early ‘80’s he was instrumental in launching Companion Property and Casualty Company.  He retired from Blue Cross/ Blue Shield in July 1996.

He was an active member of Shandon Presbyterian Church for forty-four years and enjoyed following PC football.

The Rev. Hugh Lee Eichelberger ’57 of Saluda, N.C., died Nov. 9, 2007, at the age of 72.

A native of Clinton, S.C., the Columbia Theological Seminary graduate served numerous churches in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. He also worked for the national staff of the Presbyterian Church USA and was a pastoral counselor and author.

Thomas Jefferson Holbrook ('57), JR. March 4, 1935 - March 14, 2008 RALEIGH, NC-Mr. Thomas Jefferson Holbrook, Jr., 73, of 9500 Barton Creek, Raleigh, NC, formerly of Anderson, SC, died Friday, March 14, 2008 at WakeMed Hospital (Raleigh Campus) in Raleigh, NC. Born in Anderson, SC, he was the son of the late Thomas Jefferson Holbrook, Sr. and Ann Grobusky Holbrook. He was a 1957 graduate of Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC and was a Captain in the United States Army, having served for ten years. After his honorable discharge from the Military, Mr. Holbrook's civil career began with the Federal Government, where he retired as Director of Human Resources of the Winston-Salem Veterans Administration. Survivors include two sons, Patrik Reed Holbrook and his fiancée, Alyson C. Machon of Raleigh, NC and Thomas Jefferson Holbrook III, of Greensboro, NC; a special niece, Ann Margaret "Peggy" Bauder of Charleston, SC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Ann Holbrook Bauder. A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 11:00 am at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Anderson, SC officiated by the Reverend Dr. David J. Bailey. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com The McDougald Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements."

Bobby “Bob” Glynn Shealy ’58 of Simpsonville, S.C., died Dec. 12, 2007, at the age of 72.

Born in Newberry, S.C., he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserves. He also attained the rank of Eagle Scout and received the Order of the Arrow. He retired as a special agent with the Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Company, where he served as a member of the 1752 Club. He was also a charter member of Messiah Lutheran Church.

Mable June Adair '59
Mable June Adair, age 70, of 108 S. Holland St., died Tuesday, March 18, 2008. She was born in Clinton and was the daughter of the late E. Keith and Mable Tucker Adair.

Miss Adair was a graduate of Presbyterian College and taught at Clinton High School for 30 years. She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church, a teacher of the Faith Sunday School Class, member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the D.A.R., the U.D.C., the Colonial Dames XVII Century and numerous other church and civic organizations.

She is survived by a sister, Mary Keith Adair Watts of Clinton; three nieces, Myra (Eric) Hager of Atlanta, Ga., Beth (David) DeLorme of Atlanta, Ga., Susan (Andy) Smith of Frisco, Texas; a nephew, Charlie (Lee Alice) Watts of Atlanta, Ga.; grand-nephews, Stephen DeLorme of Atlanta, Ga., and Andrew Smith of Frisco, Texas; grand-niece, Mary Ansley Smith of Frisco, Texas.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, with interment in the Rosemont Cemetery.

The family received friends Wednesday evening in the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 301 S. Broad St., Clinton, SC 29325 or Hospice of Laurens County, P.O. Box 178, Clinton, SC 29325.

Gray Funeral Home of Clinton

Published in The Greenville News: 03-20-2008

Dr. Ralph Arnold Chambers ('60) ,74, of Kingsport died at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Wexford House in Kingsport, TN after a lengthy illness.
\ Born in Harlan, KY on September 5, 1933, he graduated from Hyde Park High School in Chicago, IL and served in the U. S. Navy for five years and the U. S. Marine Corps for one year. Dr. Chambers graduated summa cum laude from Presbyterian College, where he attended school on a basketball scholarship. He graduated with a PhD in organic chemistry from Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Chambers was employed at Eastman Kodak Company for 27 years. He began in Research and finished his career in management in several manufacturing areas, retiring in 1991. He enjoyed tennis, golf, traveling, and scuba diving.
He was preceded in death by a 2-year old daughter, a 2-month old son; and parents, Clyde Chambers and Hassie Cox Coyle.
Dr. Chambers is survived by his wife of 30 years, Linda Worley Chambers of Kingsport; a son, Michael of Kingsport; a daughter, Christy of Maryville, TN; two grandsons, Scott Sanders and Jeffery Sanders, both of Johnson City; and two brothers, Ray Chambers of Bristol, VA and Bob Chambers of Scottsdale, AZ.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to friends, Jon Peters and Jim Hale, who visited Ralph weekly; longtime friend, Herb Criswell of Signal Mountain, TN; the staff and caregivers at Wexford House who treated him so lovingly; and all the friends and family who were so supportive.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Mountain Home National Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. David A. Cagle and Dr. Clay Austin officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 100 W. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37662; or the Alzheimer Center of Upper East TN, 2000 Greenway Street, Kingsport, TN 37660.

William Hobson Jeter Jr. ‘61 of Charleston, S.C., died Oct. 15, 2007, at the age of 71.

Born in Union, SC, he received his Masters Degree from William and Mary College and also served in the US Marine Corps. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Charleston, the Charleston Power Squadron, and Sons of the American Revolution. He also volunteered with the Service Corps of Retired Executives and with Roper Hospital. Mr. Jeter retired as a teacher and principal.

Harry Thomas "Tom" Butler Jr. ('66), 63, of Sarasota, died at his home in Sarasota on Oct. 8, 2007. He was born in Atlanta, Ga., on May 6, 1944, the eldest son of the late Harry T. Butler Sr. and Alice Allen Butler.
In every way, Tom was a gentle and kind soul and will be greatly missed by his siblings and their families, Beverly B. Butler and Nathou Attinger of Charlottesville, Va., Allen and Kaye Butler of Bradenton, and Carol and Bruce Smith of Brooksville, Fla.; nieces and nephews Kory Smith and Dylan Smith of Brooksville, William Butler of Seattle, Wash., and Susan Butler of Bradenton. He will also be missed by his many friends in Bradenton and a large group of very special people whom he adopted as his second family in Sarasota.
Tom moved to Bradenton with his family in 1950 and grew up on Warner's Bayou in northwest Bradenton. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Tom graduated in 1962 from Manatee High School where he lettered in tennis for three years and was an outstanding member of the Manatee High School Band. He graduated in 1966 from Presbyterian College, where he lettered on the tennis team.
After college, Tom served as an officer in the U.S. Army for two years, which included a tour in Nah Trang, South Vietnam. He returned to Bradenton in 1969 to join his father in the family's retail shoe business, H. Butler Footwear Inc. He was president of H. Butler Footwear from 1975 until 1990 when he sold his interest in the business.
Tom was active in the Chamber of Commerce and the Bradenton Rotary Club. He served as a director and as president of the Downtown Bradenton Association and as a director of the Bradenton Country Club. In 1983, Tom moved to Siesta Key in Sarasota, where he became active in real estate and in volunteer work at Mote Marine Laboratory.
He became a licensed massage therapist specializing in the treatment of sports injuries. He traveled extensively and particularly loved the Hawaiian Islands. He enjoyed a lifelong interest in music, tennis and golf. Tom played six musical instruments and recently produced two CD's of his own compositions and lyrics. He played competitive tennis his entire life. He also was a serious student of the golf swing, competed in many tournaments, and at one time played to a six handicap.
Tom was a special person with an open easygoing manner that attracted friends and family to him. All of our lives are lessened by his loss. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1402 Manatee Ave. W., in Bradenton, FL. Memorial donations may be made to the American Tinnitus Association, P.O. Box 5, Portland, OR 97207-0005; or Rockfish Sanctuary, P.O. Box 3, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Arrangements entrusted to Shannon Funeral Home, Town Chapel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.shannonfuneralhomes.com.

William Eugene “Gene” Bowie ’67 of Easley, SC, died June 24, 2007, at the age of 62.

Born in Anderson County, he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. He was formerly a counselor for S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation and was a member of Fairview United Methodist Church.

Robert Evander McNair, Jr. ('69), 60, died Tuesday, January 22, 2008. Services will be held at First Baptist Church, Boyce Chapel, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 25, 2008. Pallbearers will be G. Michael Brant, Robert L. Hackle, Jr., Charles H. Hood, David T. Modi, the Honorable George S. Robinson and Roger L. Sherman. A private family burial with military honors will be held at the cemetery on the family’s historic farm in Berkeley County.

Bobby McNair was born January 30, 1947, in Allendale, South Carolina, the first child of former Governor of South Carolina, Robert E. McNair and Josephine Robinson McNair. Educated in the public schools of South Carolina, he graduated from Presbyterian College where he had been a member of the football and track teams. Bobby entered the United States Air Force as a commissioned second lieutenant on November 13, 1969, and rose to the rank of first lieutenant, serving as an administrative management officer during the Vietnam era. His life’s journey, from his childhood in Allendale through his higher education and military assignments, afforded him the opportunity to meet many wonderful people who remained lifelong friends.

After his discharge from active military service in 1972, Bobby entered the world of business in Columbia, South Carolina, and married Judith Elaine Gibbons of Turbeville, South Carolina, in Boyce Chapel of First Baptist Church on February 2, 1974.

During his business career, first with the R.L. Bryan Company and later with Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Bobby was actively involved in many community organizations, including chairing the fund raising campaign for the Midlands Chapter of the March of Dimes Birth Defect Foundation and serving on the Boards of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands and the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also a past chairman of the Board of Directors for the Education Foundation of School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties.

The last twenty-three years of his career, he was the regional manager of Government Affairs for Georgia-Pacific Corporation. His region included at various times, in addition to South Carolina, the states of North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. During this period he was actively involved in numerous business organizations and professional associations.

In the past seven years, during his courageous and persevering battle with cancer, Bobby continued his service to others as a member of the South Carolina Oncology Associates (SCOA) Board.

Bobby and Judy McNair were married for 33 years and he cherished her total dedication to family and her strength in faith which sustained them during their years together. He was particularly proud of and supported by their two sons, Robert Evander McNair III of Columbia and William Thomas McNair of Charleston. In addition to his wife and sons, he is survived by two sisters, Robin Lee and her husband Jon C. Howell of Myrtle Beach, and Corinne Calhoun and her husband Stanyarne R. Godshall of Myrtle Beach. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Jon Craig Howell, Jr. (and his wife, Laura Leigh Ouzts) of Myrtle Beach, Jodi Lee Howell Dowdy of Myrtle Beach, Coleman Thomas Parks, Jr. of Columbia and Josephine Dixon Godshall of Myrtle Beach; and one great niece, Shalee Christine Dowdy of Myrtle Beach. Additionally, he was loved, cared for and is survived by his mother-in-law, Evelyn H. Gibbons of Florence, his two brothers-in-law, G. Wayne Gibbons (and his wife, Ann) of Turbeville, Glenn D. Gibbons (and his wife, Gail) of Mt. Pleasant, and his sister-in-law, Carolyn C. Gibbons (and her husband, Joe W. “Rocky” Pearce, Jr.) of Florence, as well as many nieces and nephews of his wife who shared his life: Kelli D. Gibbons of New York, David M. Coker (and his wife, Julie), Michael S. Coker, Jason W. Coker (and his wife, Casey), all of Florence, J. Wylie Pearce III of Garden City, Tate P. Gibbons (and his wife, Sarah) and Tyler K. Gibbons of Mt. Pleasant; two great nieces, Kate A. and Anna G. Coker of Florence; and one great nephew, Parker B. Gibbons of Mt. Pleasant. He was predeceased by his mother and father, and his youngest sister, Claudia Crawford McNair.

The family wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Dr. William M. Butler and the entire SCOA team, as well as the medical staff at Palmetto Health Richland, 11E Oncology Center, all of whom lovingly ministered to and treated Bobby during this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please send memorials to the South Carolina Cancer Tissue Bank, c/o USC School of Medicine/Palmetto Health, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29202; SCOA Cares Foundation, 7 Richland Medical Park, Columbia, SC 29201; or to the First Baptist Church of Columbia, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

Please sign the online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Obituary posted: January 23, 2008  --  The State - Columbia, SC

The Hon. Mary Buchan Graham ’73 of Marion, S.C., died July 4, 2007, at the age of 54.

Born in Mullins, S.C., she obtained a juris doctorate degree from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1980. In 1992, she was appointed and then elected as family court judge for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit in Marion. She served on the Commission on Judicial Conduct and various other committees. She was a member of the S.C. Bar Association, the Marion County Bar Association, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. She was admitted to practice in all South Carolina courts and in the U.S. District Court for the district of South Carolina.

She was a former director of Davis National Bank and member of the Marion County Arts Council. She as a member of Marion Presbyterian Church, where she served as deacon, elder, and Sunday school teacher.

Daniel Lawrence Lanford ’74 of Laurens, SC, died Nov. 10, 2007, at the age of 55.

He was born in Clinton, S.C.  He worked as an accountant as a member of the community programs staff at Whitten Center. One of his responsibilities included serving as director of community contracts services for the S.C. Department of Mental Retardation’s Piedmont region.

Paula Stroud Stanley ’84 of Hartsville, S.C., died Nov. 29, 2007, at the age of 45.

She served as the interim music minister at Lakeview Baptist Church and was the creator, director, and producer of the Hartsville Easter Festival and the Singing Christmas Tree. She received the James F. Byrnes Scholarship award, the Shaw Fine Arts award, and received the Belle of Courage award in 1999. She was also chosen as an Outstanding Young Woman of America, served as a trustee of Anderson College, and earned two degrees from PC, a bachelor of arts in 1984 and a bachelor of science in 1986.

John Patrick Ellis ’88 of Sumter, S.C., died June 9, 2007, at the age of 41.

Born in Hampton, Va., he was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church. He was a football letterman during his days at PC and retired as manager of Complete Door Systems in Saluda. He was a member of the National Independent Businessmen Association, the Sumter Home Builders Association, and the Carolina Epilepsy Association. He also founded the Sumter Muscular Dystrophy Fund, Inc.

Mrs. Robbie Brown Sasser ('88) age 59 of 127 Kingston Dr. and widow of Edward Martin Sasser died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008 in the Greenville Memorial Hospital after a long battle with illness.
She was born in Ware Shoals, SC and was a daughter of the late William Robert (Bob) Brown and Myron Hazel Meeks Brown.
She is survived by her daughter, Adrienne Sasser Wiles and granddaughter, Miranda Caroline Wiles both of Laurens.
Mrs. Sasser was a graduate of the Ware Shoals High School, and a 1988 graduate of Presbyterian College. She worked at Presbyterian College where she proudly served for 26 years as Assistant Controller in the Office of Student Collections from 1981 to 2007. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Laurens
Mrs. Sasser was a woman of perseverance, strength, dedication and determination, tremendous faith and spirituality. She is loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Crypt side services will be conducted Sunday, Jan. 13th at 2:30 p.m. at the Forest Lawn Cemetery Mausoleum followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Laurens. The family will receive friends following the memorial service at the church.
The family will be at the home of her daughter, Ms. Adrienne Wiles, 1762 Lakeview Dr., Laurens, SC.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Shelby Deitz, P.O. Box 481, Clinton, SC 29360 or to the American Diabetes Association, SC Chapter, 2711 Middleburg Dr., Suite 311, Columbia, SC 29250.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com
Gray Funeral Home of Laurens.

Funeral services for Larry Carlson Thomas II ('10), 20, of 555 New Light Drive, Orangeburg, will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2008, in the Edisto High School Gymnasium, with the Rev. Dr. Norman Brown officiating. Burial will be in the New Light Macedonia Cemetery.

The casket will be placed in the gymnasium at 3 p.m.

Mr. Thomas, son of Sandra Furtick Thomas and Larry Carlson Thomas Sr., was born February 15, 1988, in Orangeburg. He entered into eternal rest on April 4. He attended Orangeburg County public schools and graduated from Edisto High School. He attended New Light United Methodist Church of Orangeburg. He was a rising Junior Wide Receiver at Presbyterian College, Clinton.

He leaves to cherish fond memories, his parents, Sandra Furtick Thomas and Larry Carlson Thomas Sr.; two sisters, Sanlare' Thomas and Courtney Thomas; one brother, Ruben Thomas; five aunts, Debra (Charlie) Brown, Jacqueline (Jonathan) Davis, Sylvia Pough, Favyon Wright and Kathy Williams; three uncles, Thomas (Gwen) Furtick, Steven Furtick and Robert Dyches; maternal grandparent, Henry Furtick Jr.; godparents, Richard and Jimmie Winningham, and a host of cousins, classmates, teammates and dear friends.

Friends may call at the residence of his parents, Larry and Sandra Thomas, 555 New Light Drive, Orangeburg, or Simmons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 8.

Online condolences may be sent to www.simmonsfuneralhome.com.

C. Bailey Dixon of Clinton, S.C., died Sept. 3, 2007, at the age of 77.

He was a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he received a bachelor of textile engineering. He served in the U.S. Navy, touring Japan, China, and Korea as an ensign and paymaster. He became a registered professional engineer while beginning his industrial career at Clinton Mills in 1955. He served as director and vice president of engineering from 1961-1979. He was then appointed to vice president of engineering and subsidiary operations, a position he held until his retirement in 1998.

He served on the board of directors of Clinton Mills, Inc., and M.S. Bailey & Son, Bankers, both companies his great-grandfather established in 1896 and 1886, respectively. He was chairman of Clinton Investment Company and a member of the Bailey Foundation.

He was involved in the founding of the Clinton YMCA and the Laurens County SAFE Home for Women. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 111 and was Blue Ridge Council president. He was chairman of York Place, the Episcopal Home for Children. He established the Bailey Dixon Fund for Textile Scholarships at Georgia Tech.

In 2002, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Clinton Chronicle. He was awarded the 2006 Spirit of Volunteerism and Philanthropy award by the United Way, which established this annual award in his name. He was inducted into the Georgia Tech Engineering Hall of Fame and was selected for the Episcopal High School Hall of Fame and the 2007 District Tree Farmer of the Year by the S.C. Forestry Association.

He served on PC's Board of Visitors and was also active in All Saints' Episcopal Church and Kiwanis Club in Clinton.