Geraldine "Gerri" Bailey

Geraldine "Gerri" Bailey, 92, of Dayton, passed away on February 2, 2019. She was born on September 19, 1926 to the late Robert and Lottie Austin in Powhatan Point, OH. Geraldine retired from Miami Valley Hospital School of Nursing. On September 13, 1952. She married James T. Bailey, Sr. and they made Dayton their home. She was a member of A Ministry of Love where she served as Church Mother. Geraldine is survived by her loving children, Annie Banks, Douglas (Maxine) Bailey, Gloria (Ivan) Love, James Smith, David Stanley, and James (Beth) Ratliff. Grandchildren; Donikea (Jerry) Sanders, Susan Hardin, Antwaan (Cheryl) Butler, Shondell Butler, Ivan Love, II, Heidi Smith, Adrian Love, Kea Peavy, Monica Claxton,,Shawuana Bailey, David Stanley Jr., Timothy Smith, Davida Stanley, Mercedes Perez, and Ciara Sturm. Great grandchildren; Daymion Mayfield, Thelson Curry, Jr., Christopher (Patricia) Walters, Christy Walters, Deidra Benjamin, Brian Favor, Brice Favors, Nya and Jerrell Sanders, Tyreal Love, Ashanti McConnell, Ronnie Williams, Kristopher Thomas, Cincere Love, Cordaire Love, Kadean Love. Great great grandchildren; Daymion Mayfeild Jr., Zendaya Curry, Zaiden Curry, Romell and Romeir Stargell, and Robin Stargel. A host of nieces and nephews, many other family and friends, and a devoted Aide of (10 years) Matia Terrell. Geraldine will be greatly missed by her church family, as well as her extended family "The Love Family"
Geraldine filled her past time with her friends at Greater Dayton Recreation Center, playing pokeno, bingo and cards. While home she would crochet afghans, lap covers for all, her quiet time was spent doing Word Search Puzzles and playing on her Kindle. She loved doing Ceramics, and fishing. She loved spending time with her family especially her grands, at anytime you could find her on the floor playing with them, coloring with them. She knew they would cheat her at games and she loved it.

Geraldine had a love for children, she was a Foster Parent, she worked with the " Cub Scouts". In the early 70's Mrs Bailey started a Neighbor Hood Drill Team, in Residence Park, she had 101 girls they were called "The Nehru's" she marched right along with them. She loved and Drilled them hard. Later on she worked with the "Western Stars Drill Team" the " Flag Girls" division. While her children were growing up, you could find her out front playing kick ball with hers and the neigborhood kids always playing the pitcher for both sides or refereeing the game. To have known her is to have loved her, she met no strangers.

She was considered as Mother and Grandmother to many, too numerous to mention by name.
Above all she Loved the Lord, her favorite scripture was the 23rd Psalms, and her favorite hym was "Just A Closer Walk with Thee" at anytime in service she would belt that song out. That song was her greatest desire. She hated giving blood and as they begin to stick her she would say the 23rd Psalms for relief.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, James Bailey, Sr.; son, James Bailey, III; grandson, Chris Bailey; granddaughter, Sabrina Love; great granddaughter, D'Amber Snow; siblings, Theodore Austin, John Stewart, Sr. and Edith West; and the couple that raised her, Samantha Maude Stewart and John Henry Stewart. Visitation will be Saturday, February 9, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Newcomer South Chapel in Kettering. A Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place on Monday, February 11, 2019 at 10:15 a.m., in the Dayton National Cemetery. Guests must arrive to cemetery at 10:00 am to attend the committal service under Shelter B. Memorials are suggested to A Ministry of Love Building Fund.

To share a special memory with Geraldine's family, please visit the guestbook below.