Plato says,  "The beginning is the most important part of the work." The youngest of three boys born to Elmo and Mattie Daniels, the beginning of David Bailey 's life started on February 23, 1939. Educated by the Butler County School System, David was a rising star football player. David was an All American at Hamilton High School. David 's talents put him on the radar of NFL scouts, and he was drafted to the San Diego Chargers.

Before he could catch his first pigskin in an NFL stadium, football stardom was traded for service in the Vietnam War. Bailey was enlisted to the US Marine Corps and deployed. David Bailey excelled in every space. During his time of service, he received numerous awards and promotions retiring at E9 status. Thomas Campbell said it best about men like Bailey, "The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men."

David Bailey was not just a courageous soldier but was an incredible husband and father. Joined in holy matrimony, Bailey married Ora Jean Johnson and built a family of seven beautiful children. Much like moments in his military career, David would live to bury those he
loved. He was preceded in death by his wife and two of his seven children: Florence Bailey and Beatrice Bailey. "Sgt." As he was affectionately called enjoyed football, softball, and basketball; playing all three sports until his health would no longer permit. While sports may have come off the table, cooking never did. Bailey was a grill master specializing in ribs, pig feet and steaks. He enjoyed spoiling the women in his family with steak dinners prepared in love. He was also known for his famous seafood salad. Psalm 1:1 -2 says, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." In 2003, David Bailey joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he served on the Men 's Progressive Usher Board until his health would not permit. David was also a gold card member of Albany Masonic Lodge #360 PHA and a member of Al Rakim Shrine Temple #142. No stranger to civic service, he additionally served the American Legion
Post 512.

In 2007, love visited David once more and he was joined in marriage to Percy Yolanda Logan Brown. Their love remained until the end. They were days away from celebrating 18 years of holy matrimony. "… Until time says no more." Time would close the chapters of David "Sgt" Bailey 's life on August 6, 2025 full of stories to share long after his last breath.

He leaves to cherish his legacy his wife, Percy Yolanda Bailey; his children, David Bailey, Edna Sawyer, Larena Maxwell, Dana Weston (Tony), James Bailey (Sheonta), Jason Logan (Amanda), and Phillip Logan; one grandson that he raised his own, Antonio Weston,
Jr.; 2 siblings, Walter Bailey and Shaun Bailey; 14 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; two special nieces, Maria Broykins and Corene Kidd; one aunt, Ceola Sims; an adopted son, Kelvin McCoy; 4 sisters -in -law; 2 brothers -in -law; his adopted family, The Palmers; his crew, The GANG; 2 fur babies, Gin Bailey and Java Bailey; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. He was special to everyone.