Funeral Information
Location:
Ruby Funeral Services & Crematories
Date: 04-03-2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Time: 11:00 AM
Visitation Information
Location:
Ruby Funeral Services & Crematories
Date:
Time: 9:00 AM
Time: 9:00 AM
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Obituary
Cleaotha Lynn “Barney” Bailey departed this life on March 22, 2026, at St. John’s Hospital. He was born on June 27, 1971, in Springfield, Illinois. He was the son of Doris E. Thompson Bailey and Cleo Bailey. He married Doris J. Bailey on July 10, 1999.
Mr. Bailey was a laborer and supervisor at IDOT for 21 years. He also worked as a mechanical engineer during his time in the Navy, was a professional SMTD Bus Driver, trained and licensed EMT, and Professional Motorcycle Instructor. He was introduced to Christianity as a child/young adult at Brown Street Church of God in Christ; however, he was baptized in the faith at Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He volunteered for Senior Services Daily Bread, and as a tour guide/docent at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris E. Bailey; father, Cleo Bailey; brother, Cleo Mitchell Bailey; sister, Lisa Kay Bailey; and grandfather, William R. Thompson.
He leaves to cherish memories: his wife, Doris J. Bailey; sons, Carl Jefferson (Tracy), Michael Wayne Johnson, and Devon Bailey (Hannah) of Springfield, IL; daughters, Kaleena Green King (Malcolm) of Killeen, TX, and Courtney Johnson (Terrence Conner) of Beaumont, TX; brother, William “Tuffy” Thompson of Springfield, IL; sister, Sheila Bailey of Springfield, IL; 19 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Mr. Bailey was a laborer and supervisor at IDOT for 21 years. He also worked as a mechanical engineer during his time in the Navy, was a professional SMTD Bus Driver, trained and licensed EMT, and Professional Motorcycle Instructor. He was introduced to Christianity as a child/young adult at Brown Street Church of God in Christ; however, he was baptized in the faith at Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He volunteered for Senior Services Daily Bread, and as a tour guide/docent at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris E. Bailey; father, Cleo Bailey; brother, Cleo Mitchell Bailey; sister, Lisa Kay Bailey; and grandfather, William R. Thompson.
He leaves to cherish memories: his wife, Doris J. Bailey; sons, Carl Jefferson (Tracy), Michael Wayne Johnson, and Devon Bailey (Hannah) of Springfield, IL; daughters, Kaleena Green King (Malcolm) of Killeen, TX, and Courtney Johnson (Terrence Conner) of Beaumont, TX; brother, William “Tuffy” Thompson of Springfield, IL; sister, Sheila Bailey of Springfield, IL; 19 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.