On June 14, 2022, the Mercer County Board of Education celebrated Mr. Gene Bailey and his 28 years of service. Mr. Bailey was voted as a member in 1994 and has devoted his time, knowledge, and compassion to the students and employees of Mercer County Schools.

Mr. Bailey has led an extraordinary career: he taught ornamental horticulture at the Mercer County Vo-Tech Center and West Virginia Studies at Oakvale. Although it was the importance in civics he instilled in his students which led him to serve as the Mayor of Princeton in 1978-1980 and then as a WV House of Delegates member from 1982-1988.

Many in our community know of Mr. Bailey as the owner of Bluestone Christmas Tree Farm and Nursery. He and his wife, Elizabeth, bought the property in 1964. Families from all over have made it a tradition to find the perfect tree at Mr. Bailey's farm.

Thank you, Mr. Bailey, from the generations of Mercer County students and employees who have thrived under your tenure.

Mercer County Schools

Celebrating a Great Man: Gene Bailey