Howard Allison "HAB" Bailey, 89, of Cordova, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at Methodist North in Memphis, Tennessee. Howard was born on August 9, 1927, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Charles A. and Lorine (Steward) Bailey. On August 26, 1961, he married former Loretta Clara Williams in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He lived with his wife, in Cordova, Tennessee, before recently moving to The Elmcroft of Bartlett Assisted Living Facility due to failing health. Howard went to Capital Hill High School until he quit school to work at BS&B as a fabricator, welder''s helper, and truck driver assistant. At seventeen he joined the Merchant Marines and helped bring military personnel back from France after World War II. During his lifetime he worked for Roberson Steele Company as a truck driver, Continental Trailways Bus Company as a mechanic, and lastly, Hertz Truck Rental in Memphis, Tennessee, as a diesel mechanic.

Howard was an avid volunteer at the Davies Manor, which is the oldest extant home in Shelby County, Tennessee, and possibly anywhere in West Tennessee. He was their maintenance and grounds keeper, doing everything from cutting the grass and putting in gardens to building roads and cutting down trees. He also volunteered at the Tennessee Genealogical Society, then housed on the Davies Manor grounds. Later, the Tennessee Genealogical Society moved the library to co-locate with the Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center on Poplar Pike. There he volunteered at the library and also helped with maintenance. He helped his wife research, write, and publish several genealogy books on their families. Howard was known for his terrific sense of humor, NOT! But he was loved by many!

Howard is survived by his wife, Loretta C. Bailey, of Cordova, Tennessee, step-son, Terry M. Milius and his wife Judy of Millington, Tennessee, step-daughter, Kathryn M. Boughton and her husband Stephen P. of Plainfield, Indiana, four step-grandchildren, Mark, Lori, Jacquelyn, and Sarah, 14 great grandchildren, as well as nephews, nieces, cousins and in-laws.

Howard was preceded in death by his sister, Wanda L. Carter, June 2016, and parents, Charles A., September 1987, and Lorine Bailey, May 2005.

All services are private. Entombment will be at Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, send memorials to St. Jude Children''s Research Hospital.

Forest Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, East, has charge of arrangements.