Barry Gray "Big Daddy" Bailey

Funeral services celebrating the life of Barry Gray “Big Daddy” Bailey, 83, of West Monroe, Louisiana, will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, February 28, 2025, at Cedar Crest Baptist Church with Dr. Greg Clark officiating. Interment will follow immediately after at Farmerville City Cemetery, in Farmerville, Louisiana. The visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe.

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV

Barry Gray Bailey, lovingly known as “Big Daddy”, was born in Bernice, Louisiana, on September 8, 1941. While in his late teenage years, just like the movies, Barry met the love of his life riding in on horseback marking the beginning of their classic love story. Barry and Gay Bailey got married on January 27, 1961, in Farmerville, Louisiana. In their 64 years of marriage, they had two sons, three grandchildren, and three (almost four) great-grandchildren. Barry was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and faithful servant of the Lord. He was passionate about sharing the love of Christ and leading countless people to know Him. Barry was a proud member of Cedar Crest Baptist Church, where he found great joy in serving his community. Barry passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at 83 years old on February 24, 2025. 

Barry is preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Christene Bailey. He leaves behind a legacy of love, devotion, and faith. 

Left behind to cherish his memory is his wife, Wanda Gay Bailey; son, Mitchell G. Bailey and his wife, Lisa, and their children Caleb G. Bailey (Tori) and their son, William, and Gracyn M. Jolley (Tanner) and their son, Knox; son, Martin K. Bailey (Michele), and his daughter, Hannah Bailey Moore (Ryan) and their children, Ella Grace and Jackson Thomas (due March 2025); brother, Dr. Don Bailey (Kim); sister, Peggy Frasier (Danny); sister, Tina Roush (Johnny); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whom he loved deeply. A part of our heart is missing now. 

Big Daddy was a good man and a true example of redemption and grace. He loved his family with everything he had and poured into us all. We are all so grateful to have experienced his big love, loud personality, and the warmth that made him so special.

The pallbearers will be Dr. Tanner Jolley, Ryan Moore, Donavan Bailey, Steven Frasier, John Stewart, and Charles Cobb. The honorary pallbearers are Dr. Samer Roy and Mark Frost.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Barry's lifelong dedication to his faith, the family requests that donations be made to Cedar Crest Baptist Church (3245 Arkansas Road, West Monroe, LA).