Joel Dean Dailey

Go Joel Dean Dailey, age 84 of Calhoun, passed away on July 29th, 2025.

Joel was born to the late Elsie Boling Dailey and J.M. Dailey, Senior, in Homer, Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia and graduated with a degree in agriculture in 1962. It was after graduation that he moved to Calhoun to begin his career as a teacher and where he met his wife of 60 years, Bettye Alred Dailey. Joel loved teaching and all the students he taught. At Calhoun High School, he started the first greenhouse education program. Joel always delighted in seeing his former students around town. Joel and Bettye had a great love for Cocker Spaniels, and enjoyed showing their beautiful dogs all over the country.

Joel was also a member of the US Army National Guard and the First Baptist Church of Calhoun. After 30 years of teaching, Joel reluctantly retired and began a new career as a cabinet maker. He loved woodworking, but most enjoyed the relationships he formed with people while working in their home. Joel was also an extraordinary gardner and loved being outside “tending” to all his beautiful plantings and his grass!

A loving husband, father to Elizabeth and son-in-law Chris, and “GeeDad” to Morgan and William, Joel spent his later years enjoying his family. He learned to love the game of lacrosse from watching William play and Morgan kept him up on the latest fashions, continuing the tradition of family fashion shows after a shopping trip. He was the ultimate “Girl Dad”! Joel was a great lover of history and spent countless hours creating a remarkably elaborate family tree, tracing several branches of his family back to the early 600s. He also enjoyed spending time with his great-nephew, William Hasty, exploring the yard and squirrel hunting. He will be greatly missed by his favorite good-boy, Miniature Schnauzer Charlie Brown. He had a wonderful life, and was truly loved by all who knew him.

Joel is survived by his wife Bettye Alred Dailey, his daughter Elizabeth Dailey Reilly and son-in-law Chris, granddaughter Morgan Elizabeth Reilly and grandson William Christopher Reilly. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Charlotte Alred Hasty, nephews Joel Douglas Hasty and Gregory Donovan Hasty and his wife Katie, and his great-niece Caroline Hasty Hopper and great-nephews Garrett and William Hasty. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Boyd Leland Dailey and J.M Dailey, Jr. and brother-in-law Lonnie F. Hasty.

A private memorial will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Calhoun Historical Society @ P.O. Box 342, Calhoun, Georgia, 30703.

You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com

Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Joel Dean Dailey.