Ronald Bailey

Ronald Wilbert Bailey was born to the union of Leona Smith and Clyde Bailey in Chicago, Il. He attended Hyde Park High School where he excelled in the classroom and on the basketball court.

At age 15, Ron moved to Milwaukee, WI where he experienced the loving arms of his aunt and uncle, Vivian and Richard Mynor. He finished his secondary education at North Division High School where he again excelled in the classroom, on the basketball court and R.O.T.C.

Upon completing a BS Degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1961, he was drafted into the Armed Forces and served a tour in the Army in Viet Nam. With an honorable discharge, he toured Europe prior to returning to the US.

He was a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and an active participant in the Freedom Bus Rides and voter education and registration in Lowndes County, AL. during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s. As a later member of the Dayton, OH Chapter of the Black Panther Party, he assisted in organizing a Free Breakfast for Children Program in the heart of Dayton.

Upon returning to Chicago, he completed his Master’s Degree in Education at Northeastern Illinois University while working for the Y.M.C.A. His career path led him into Child Welfare Social Work for Chicago Youth Centers, Community Renewal Society, the United Way of Chicago, the United Way of Dade County FL. and the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services where he served as a Social Worker, Case Management Trainer and an author of Case Management Training Curriculum. Ron earned a Law Degree from Loyola University of Chicago at the young age of 63.

Upon retirement from DCFS, he, his wife and his Mother-in-Love, relocated to Mt. Juliet, TN. With no rest for a retiree, Ron was recruited by the TN Depart. Of Children’s Services to write curriculum and train the Department’s Case Managers. This work required him to travel all over the State. After his second retirement, he volunteered at the Nashville Children’s Alliance and with Summit Hospital.

Ron is survived by his wife, Florentine “Tina”; his children, Darlene (Curtis) Bundy, Ronald “Ronnie” Bailey, Charles (Shae) Bailey and Bridgit Manager. He leaves his beloved grandchildren, Terrance, Christian, Charlize, Luke, Sage and London; his life-long “brother”cousin, Wade and his “sister” cousins, Yvonne, Mary, Judy and Monica.

Ron accepted Christ at an early age and was an active member and Steward at Canaan A.M.E. Church in Maywood, IL. under the leadership of Rev. Isaac Kindred and later at Payne Chapel A.M.E.-Nashville under the leadership of Rev. Sydney F. Bryant. Due to debilitating health and the drive distance, he and his wife recently united with the loving family at Cedar Grove M.B. Church in Mt. Juliet, Steve A. Willingham, Pastor.

He and his wife were blessed to travel the world. As he wished, his ashes will be spread in the Atlantic Ocean at the “Door of No Return” in Elmina, Ghana, West Africa.