Meet Our Staff

Welcome Rev. Michael Bailey

Tryon United Methodist Church welcomes interimpastor Michael F. Bailey and his wife, Lauralee Davis Bailey on February 2, 2025.

Bailey is a fourth generation minister in the Methodist tradition. He was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and raised in parsonages, primarily in the Memphis area. He has served churches of all sizes including four rural circuits, as well as urban, suburban, town, small, middle sized and very large congregations and even a congregation in Northern Europe.

In July, 2021, he retired from the full-time practice of ministry as a district superintendent, an intermediary for the Bishop, in the United Methodist Church in the Winston-Salem area where he had supervisory responsibilities for over 200 clergy and at the time, 175 congregations. He was educated at Lambuth University, Vanderbilt University, the Graduate Theological Union of San Francisco as well as Columbia Theological seminary for his doctoral studies. His wife is Lauralee Davis Bailey. The couple has been married over 40 years and have two daughters and two sons, all happily married.

They have 11 grandchildren. Lauralee Bailey received her education at Appalachian State University. She has worked in a large number of settings, most recently in foundation, planned giving and development offices for the United Methodist Church as well as health care foundations.

Throughout their marriage Lauralee has appeared in numerous musical theater productions, TV commercials and print ads.

The Baileys recently moved from their home at Lake Junaluska to a mountain valley on the border of Buncombe and Haywood counties, for aging in place reasons. While Lauralee is deeply committed to worshipping and participating in the choir of our home church, Central UMC, Asheville, over these 12 weeks, anytime she is free, she'll join Tryon UMC in worship. "We are both are so excited to join in the life of Tryon UMC, a church which we understand is the "friendliest church in the friendliest town" in North Carolina!"

Pam McNeil serves as the Director of Music Ministries and organist for our worship services. Since October 2010, she has been leading our Chancel Choir and supervising our guest instrumentalists, vocalists, and hand bell ensemble.

Pam is in her sixth year as a music educator in the Polk County School System and in her over forty-year as musical director for the local community theater. She brings vast knowledge and expertise from her fourteen years as Production Manager for the local newspaper.

She is held in highest regard in professional circles and in the many faith communities throughout the Southeast. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Piano and Music Education from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and a Masters in Music from Western Carolina University.