John T. Bailey

JOHN THOMAS BAILEY, JR., son of the late John T. Bailey and Elsie Speights, was born on September 5, 1931. He departed this life on June 14, 2017. He received his education at Frederick Douglass High School. His career encompassed a variety of avenues. He worked in advertising sales at the AfroAmerican Newspaper, he was employed by Otis Elevator, he worked as a cha-cha dance instructor, and he opened up a shoe shine stand at the grand opening of the Baltimore Inner Harbor. He worked for the Housing Authority of Baltimore City from 1958 until 1967. He was the proud owner and operator of a Royal cab from 1967 until his retirement. He took great delight in singing for his fares calling himself "the singing cab driver". He also established "Busy Bee's, Inc." after his retirement. Additionally, he was a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers and a member of the Recording Academy. He was a dedicated and faithful member of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church. He married Louise C. Bailey, and out of this sixty-four year union five children were born: John T. Bailey, III, Francine Parker, Deborah Edmonds, Carole Bailey and Denise Bailey. He was predeceased in death by his wife, Louise Bailey, his sister, Mary Frances Page, and his only son, John T. Bailey, III. Ask anyone who knew him and they will tell you that his greatest passion was music. He was a prolific songwriter, and entertained others with his singing everywhere he went. Mr. Bailey was quite a character with tremendous self-esteem, and did not mind sharing a piece of his mind whether solicited or not. He would have been delighted to know that the Park Heights Community Group is in the process of also naming Pall Mall Road "Bailey Way". Mr. Bailey leaves to mourn: his four daughters, Francine Parker, Deborah Edmonds, Carole Bailey and Denise Bailey; one sister, Patricia Wilson; one brother-in-law, Charles Webster, Jr.; one sister-in-law, Doris Talbert; three granddaughters, Sarrina Kearney, Maya Maroto and Mariah Bailey; three grandsons, Gregory Kearney, II, Lawrence Bryant, III, and Anthony Raymond; fourteen great-grandchildren; a niece, Patricia Bailey; two nephews, Eugene Bailey and Christopher Bailey; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

John T. Bailey

September 5, 1934 - June 14, 2017