Aaron Bailey Program

A ARON K EITH W HITAKER B AILEY , affectionately known as “AB” “Daddy Aaron”, entered this earthly life on March 25, 1964 to the parentage of Norris Lee Whitaker, Sr. and Patsy Bailey in San Diego, CA. Most of his childhood was lived in San Diego. He relocated to Dallas, TX where he completed his education and graduated in 1982 from Justin F. Kimball High School. During high school, AB was a running back for the Kimball Knights football team and ran the 200 meter and 3rd leg 4x4 meter relay for the track team. After graduating from Kimball, AB continued his education at Kilgore Junior College where he majored in Business and he also continued playing football. AB was a believer In God and was proud to serve in any capacity. In 1979, he started his Christian journey at South Dallas Baptist Church under the leadership of his late stepfather, Pastor Willie B. Simon where he served on the usher board, sang in the choir and drove the church bus. He and his best friends also worked security for the Oak Cliff Baptist Minister’s Union every year. AB loved spending time with his family and friends. You could find him at the domino table at any family event. He made sure his family was well fed and when they knew he was cooking enchiladas, they showed up! Anytime he was available, he was traveling near and far cooking side by side with his brother-in-law for special events. When he wasn’t cooking, he enjoyed fishing with his uncle. AB was also a member of The Predators flag football team in which he played with his best friends. AB was the hardest working MAN!!! As a young man, he worked for his stepfather with S&J Construction. When he moved back to San Diego, he was a government employee. Once he moved back to Texas, AB became the manager at EZ Pawn. On August 8, 2005, he became an employee for DART until his passing. After 16 years as a faithful employee, he was awarded as Employee of The Month. He was so proud and honored to receive this award. In 2003, AB reunited with his teenage girlfriend, Valerie “Tootie” Crow. The two married on January 30, 2004 and to this union a baby girl, Aariona Bailey was born. The family united with the Freedom Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Mack T. Flemmings, Sr. Always ready to serve, AB was a member of the Security Ministry, Male Chorus and he also starred in the church play as “Big Mike”. AB was preceded in death by; his father, maternal grandparents, Willie and Azzielee Bailey, paternal grandparents, Buford and Hattie Whitaker, and a host of aunts and uncles. AB leaves behind: his wife of 18 years, Valerie “Tootie” Crow-Bailey; daughters, Aariona Bailey, Patrika Bailey Alexander, Da’Ashlaun “Da’Da” Beckwith and his fur baby Bella Bailey all of Dallas, TX; mother, Patsy Bailey (Dallas, TX) , siblings, Norris Lee Whitaker, Jr. (San Diego, CA), Kimberly Whitaker Edwards (Dallas, TX), Shearese Johnson (San Diego, CA), Ajeenah Whitaker (San Diego, CA) and Tanya McKinney (Dallas, TX); grandchildren, Makhi Land, Ma’Kenzie Land, Mason Land, Messiah Davis and fur baby Winston Beckwith all of Dallas, TX; best friends, Darrell Robinson and Lemanuel “Pete” Williams both of Dallas, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws and friends.

A Service of Celebration & Praise Honoring The Life of Our Beloved Aaron “AB” Bailey Tuesday, March 1, 2022 11:00 am F REEDOM M ISSIONARY B APTIST C HURCH 3715 Westmoreland Rd., Dallas, TX 75233 Pastor: Dr. Mack T. Flemings, Sr. Officiant: Pastor E.R. Murrell, II (Brother-in-law)

Processional/Parting View…………………………………...Clergy and Family Congregational Hymn……………………………... “Down by The Riverside” Old Testament…………………………………………….. Rev.Tyrone Swoopes New Testament………………………………………………. Rev. Jerry Bumpers Prayer…………………………………………Pastor Archie Lee Tinsley (Cousin) Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Song…………………………………………………… Cheryl Jones (Classmate) Special Remarks: ¨ Justin F. Kimball High School: Don King, Jr. ¨ The Predators: Lemanuel “Pete” Williams (Bestfriend) ¨ Freedom Missionary Baptist Church: Bro Anthony Mayes Song………………………………………………….…………… Phiebie Hutchins ¨ DART Representative: Jerry Reynolds - AVP ¨ Family: Michael Johnson (Nephew) MiMi Bailey- Milton (Cousin) Michael Morgan (brother in law) Song……………………………………………………………………... Alicia Land Eulogy…………………………………………………. Dr. Mack T. Flemmings, Sr.

Recessional

I was the happiest I’ve ever been with my husband. He was God’s gift to me and I love him dearly. He holds one-half of my heart and I never wanted to part from him. AB was my shelter from the rain. He gave me pleasure but never pain. The ring I wear is a symbol of our unity between him and me. God gave us his blessing, and what we shared was beyond compare. My heart beats for him only and to him I was always true. I knew he was my soulmate ever since our first date all the way to our wedding day. Our love outlasted any weather and because God was guiding us, we stayed together. Forever and ever until death did we part, he will now and forever have one-half of my heart.

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.” -Proverbs 18:22

We’ll always remember that special smile, that caring heart, that warm embrace he always gave us. Him being there for mom and us through good and bad times, no matter what. We’ll always remember our Dad because there will never be another one to replace him in our hearts, and the love we will always have for him. Aariona, Patrika, Da’Ashlaun, Bella

We love you papa! Makhi, Ma’Kenzie, Mason, Messiah, Winston

An Eternal Memory of AMuch Loved Son This is for someone wonderful as loved as one could be

for you were everything in life you meant the world to me. You gave no one a last farewell, nor ever said good-bye. You were gone before I knew it, AND ONLY GOD KNOWS WHY. A millions times I will miss you, A millions times I will cry. In my heart you hold a place, NO ONE ELSE CAN EVER FILL. It broke my heart to lose you, But, Aaron, you didn’t go alone, For part of me went with you, THE DAY GOD TOOK YOU HOME. And sometimes life can be unkind When hearts are torn in two But nothing will ever could compare To the pain of losing you. You are my first born and I thank God He Made you my son. But all the love you left behind forever will live on. And so until we meet again in a better place Rest in perfect peace, my dear Son

LOVED BEYOND WORDS. MISSED BEYOND MEASURE. Always & Forever in my heart. Mom

Today is full of memories of a brother laid to rest and every single one of them is filled with happiness For you were someone special

always such a joy to know and there was so much pain when it was time to let you go That’s why this special message is sent to heaven above for the angels to take care of you and give you all our love Love, Norris, Kimberly, Shearese, Ajeenah and Tanya

They say there is a reason They say time will heal Neither time or reason Will change the way I feel Gone are the days We used to share, but in my heart You are always there The gates of memories will never close I miss you more than anybody knows Love and miss you every day Till we meet again. Always and Forever, Darrell

During these trying hours, the presence of friends, family and loved ones have been one our sustaining elements. Your prayers have increased our faith. Your words have encouraged our sad hearts. Your presence has given us an arm to lean on. Your food has helped us to maintain our strength, the fragrance of flowers, the gifts, the thought of every card, the visits and the phone calls added a touch of beauty to a setting that was full of gloom and because of you the burden that seemed so heavy is lighter now.

Special thanks to Ms. Alice and the DART employees and Freedom Missionary Baptist Church.

Darrell Robinson Lamanuel “Pete” Williams Oscar Rivers Damon Crow Johnathan Crow Byron Davis DART Operational Honor Guard

Marchell Tate Terrence Mackey Vernon Coleman Kevin Crow Kenny Bailey, Sr. Marl Ray Bailey

Ushers of the Homegoing Celebration

Mountain Creek Cemetery Grand Prairie, Texas