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D'ARMY BAILEY Obituary

D’Army Bailey, 73, Judge of the 3rd Division of Shelby County Circuit Court, died Sunday, July 12, at Methodist University Hospital. He was born November 29, 1941 in Memphis, TN. Judge Bailey was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, class of 1959. He received his B.A. from Clark University in Worchester, MA. and his J.D. from Yale Law School. He worked in New York and San Francisco before being elected to the Berkeley City Council in 1971 where he served for two years. D’Army Bailey returned to Memphis in 1974 and opened a law firm with his brother. He was elected to the bench in 1990 and again in 2014. His parents, Will E. Bailey and Walter L. Bailey, Sr. preceded him in death. His wife, Adrienne L. Bailey; two sons, Justin Bailey and Merritt Bailey; one brother, Walter L. Bailey, Jr. and a host of family and friends, survive him. The body of Judge D’Army Bailey will lie in state at the National Civil Rights Museum from 12-6 p.m. Friday, July 17, 2015. The funeral service will be held Saturday, July 19 at Mississippi Blvd. Christian Church, 70 N. Bellevue Blvd. at 12 p.m. Interment follows in Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar. N.J. Ford and Sons Funeral Home, 12 S. Parkway West, has charge. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that checks be sent to Clark University in memory of D’Army Bailey and mailed to Jonathan Kappel, Director of Campaign Advancement, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worchester, MA 01610.

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Published by The Commercial Appeal on Jul. 16, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for D'ARMY BAILEY

20 Entries

Jan Rochester

July 25, 2015

To the Family and Friends: So very sorry for your loss. Peace be with you.

July 20, 2015

Dear Adrienne and Family,

I had the pleasure of knowing D'Army Bailey when he lived in Berkeley, CA and served on the City Council there. With D'Army and his colleague on the City Council, Ira T. Simmons, I had the privilege of founding and serving as President of an organization called Coordinating Committee for Political Action. We worked with a group of young parents and community activists to start the Center for Comprehensive Community Child Care, with matching funds from the City Council, the Alameda County Council, the State of California, and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare totaling well over $1 Million in 1971. My wife, Harmon, was the first Executive Director of that Center. D'Army was a tireless public servant in opening doors of opportunity for all people. He was an eloquent voice for those who could not speak for themselves. Berkeley became a better city because he served there. His record of service speaks volumes for itself. May God rest his soul.

J. Lynwood (Lyn) Walker, Ph.D.
Seal Beach, CA

Ethele Hilliard

July 20, 2015

Adrienne,

We were saddened hear of D'Army's passing away, and we extend deepest sympathies to you and your family. D'Armys vision and courageous leadership made a tremendous impact in our community and we will greatly miss him. It is our pray that the God of peace give you peace during this difficult time.

God Bless,

Éthele and Ernie Hilliard

Barbara Farley-Burns

July 18, 2015

I offer my sincerer condolences. He touched many lives during his life time, including myself. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to strengthen you and your family.

Amin J Abdullah

July 18, 2015

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

Buchanan

July 18, 2015

Deepest sympathy and thanks for the dedicated service by the Bailey's .Judge Bailey will be remembered.we thank God. The Buchanan Family, Memphis,TN.

patricia dupree

July 18, 2015

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

E. C. and Lou Jones

July 18, 2015

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Alison Lester

July 18, 2015

May the BLESSINGS of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ be upon you and your family during this period I will be in prayer for you.

Jacqueline Bland

July 17, 2015

I was saddened hearing of the loss of Judge, Husband, Father and friend D'Army Bailey. He gave a lot, and I know he will be missed. I pray for your strength during this time of bereavement. God WILL bring you through!

Linda Brown

July 17, 2015

Adriene, I was very saddened to hear about the passing of D. The support D'Army gave me in my career will never be forgotten. He will be truly missed by a lot of people. As D'Army's friend Maya Angelo said, A great soul never dies, it brings us together again and again.

Kim Burse

July 16, 2015

My deepest sympathy to the family and may God give you the strength you need God Bless,

Debra Rayford

July 16, 2015

Thank you for all the years of service Mr. Bailey the fight is over the race is won.Your spirit has returned to God. No more pain to endure. To his family hold on God has all your tears and and sorrows before his throne.

Janice Frazier-Scott

July 16, 2015

Judge Bailey was an incredible person who believed that justice should prevail no matter who you were. May his legacy always be remembered. Our condolences are extended to his family, classmates and friends.

Terry Clayton

July 16, 2015

D'Army Bailey was a giant of a man and trial attorney. I'm glad I had the pleasure of being in your company. RIP

Lenora Donaldson

July 16, 2015

May God keep his loving arms around you.

July 16, 2015

Extending Love and Condolences from the family of the late Willie James Perry family.

July 16, 2015

The classmates of BTW 2059 offer our sincerest and deepest condolences to the Bailey family. May the Lord' loving promises to comfort you give you strength as you walk through this difficult time.

BTW Classmates __1959

The Ivy Family

July 16, 2015

Please accept our deepest sympathies.

Charlie Cobbertt

July 15, 2015

To the family of my friend D'Army, you have my deepest sympathy. Time heals pain. D'Army touched a lot of people. I will never forget him, his smile, his laugh and the way he carried himself. He was a good man! RIP D'Army, my friend.

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