We in the Judiciary mourn the loss of our friend, Judge D’Army Bailey, a devoted family man, an accomplished attorney and experienced trial court judge. We join with national and international commentators, elected officials, and local citizens who have lauded the impact of Judge D’Army Bailey on our nation and state as a civil rights activist, noted author, and founder of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.
“Our hearts go out to his family, his beloved Memphis, and all those whom he touched during his lifetime of public service,” said Chief Justice Sharon Lee. “The entire Judiciary has lost a colleague, mentor and friend. He was a man who inspired us to never settle for injustice.”
Judge Bailey received his law degree from Yale in 1967 and practiced law for decades. He was elected in 1990 to the Circuit Court bench of Shelby County, where he served for 19 years before retiring to go into private practice. He returned to the Shelby County trial bench on September 1, 2014 and served until his death.
Judge Bailey died July 12, 2015 at the age of 73 surrounded by his family.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 17, 2015 from noon to 6:00 p.m. at the National Civil Rights Museum, 450 Mulberry Street, Memphis, TN 38103. Visitation will be on Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, 70 N. Bellevue Blvd., Memphis, TN 38104, with the funeral following immediately at noon. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery at 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN.
National press reports on Judge Bailey's death:
D’Army Bailey, judge who helped create civil rights museum, dies at 73 (Washington Post)
