Gerald Baylor

On, Monday, November 13, 2023 our brother, father, grandfather, friend, departed this life at the age of 76. GERALD OLIVER BAYLOR, SR. was born in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Mr. and Mrs. William and Queen Victoria Baylor. He was the fifth child from the bottom of a close-knit family of six siblings. He held a unique place in the hearts of his brothers and sisters. His position in the birth order, shaped his character and fostered a sense of camaraderie that would cherish a bond throughout his life. Gerald was very energetic as a child and teenager. He loved westerns and cartoons. After moving to the Lafayette Projects in 1958, Gerald made many, many, many, many, friends. He frequently visited the recreation center where lots of activities were offered to those who lived in Lafayette Projects. Gerald played baseball, basketball, and was a good dancer as well. Gerald was first taught by his parents, then the Army to be honorable and true to those he loved and served. Gerald and Barbara attended Dunbar High School. That is where he met, and fell in love and married Barbara Ann Honeycutt, and from this union were born two handsome boys, Gerald O. Baylor Jr. and Jerome Alton Baylor. Jerome was named after his uncle Jerome Baylor, who was one of the first soldiers who died for our freedom in the Vietnam War. They both graduated from Dunbar High School. Gerald graduated in 1965 and Barbara in 1966. Gerald was drafted in the United States Army. His wife Barbara and baby Gerald Derrell, the age of three months old, lived in Germany with him for two years. After an honorable discharge from the military, Gerald worked at several jobs including, Social Security Administration and later for the Dept. of Social Services, as a case manager. His job was to make assessments of families in need of appliances etc. He was assigned to Lafayette Projects, where he grew. up and had many, many friends. He approved any and everybody for grants, so much that he was transferred to another unit. He was also employed at UMBC, Johnson & Johnson, and held a variety of jobs around the city. He loved people, could talk on any subject, and considered anybody a friend. Wherever he went people would always greet him with a “Hey Big Gerald.” His playgrounds were Lafayette and Latrobe Projects, Greenmount Ave., Lexington Market and church. Gerald gave his life to Christ at an early age where he served as a member of New Mt. Sinai Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Frederick Ricks. Later in life, Gerald Jr. lived with his father for several years, and said, “Mom, you know Dad gets up every morning at 5:30 a.m. and reads his Bible.” Gerald had a sense of humor which was all natural. If you were in a sad or down way, he would say something sensible, but it would be funny Lil Jerome also lived with his grandfather. He helped his grandfather through several illnesses, and they developed a close relationship. His sons Gerald and Jerome and other family members helped Gerald through bouts of illnesses. He had a stroke and spent the last days of his life at Westgate Hill Nursing Rehabilitation Center in Catonsville, Maryland. After being treated for respiratory problems at Union Memorial Hospital, his health began to decline. He will be truly missed by family and friends. We thank God for our husband, brother, dad, friend. He will forever remain in our hearts. In honor of Gerald’s spirited nature, we will always remember the humorous side of his personality. He had an uncanny knack for finding laughter in the everyday and he would undoubtedly want us to share a chuckle or two as we reminisce about his colorful life. May God continue to richly bless you. He was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. William and Queen Baylor and three brothers Robert, William and Jerome. Left to cherish his memory until we meet again are: Barbara Ann Baylor Pickett; two sons, Gerald Oliver Baylor Jr., Jerome Alton Baylor; daughter in-law, Renee Baylor; two sisters and brother-in-law, Queen Esther Wagstaff (Gene Wagstaff) and Loretta Ervin; daughter, Theresa Montford; son-in-law, Ralph Montford; granddaughter, Shyra Baylor; grandchildren, Jerome Baylor, Jaron Baylor, Nevaeh Ferguson, Ashley Onyebilanma and Tyler Onyebilanma; nephews, Gene Jr. and Ray Wagstaff, Roderick and Darius Duncan, Derrell and Dwayne Randolph; nieces, Regina Wagstaff and Destiny Hill; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends

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Gerald Baylor

August 7, 1947 - November 13, 2023