Mr. James A. Dailey

James A. Dailey, Sr. was born September 23, 1929, in Chestnut, Alabama, but moved shortly after to Repton, Alabama where he worked on their small farm. He was born to the union of the late Jersey Bell George and Isom Dailey, and he was the 11th child of 12 children. He attended Mt. Rose High School, and at a very young age he joined Mt. Rose Baptist Church.

He moved to Cleveland in 1952, but returned back to Alabama to get the love of his life, Mildred Durant. In 1953, James and Mildred were joined in holy matrimony and to this union three children were born: James A. Dailey, Jr, Dolly M. Dailey, and Patricia Dailey.

In 1952 he joined the Friendship Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Benjamin Perkins and has remained a member under our current pastor, Dr. C. Jay Matthews until his death. Deacon James Dailey was ordained as a deacon April 18, 1982, and he loved being part of the deacon board and taking communion around to the sick and shut in. He also served for many years as an usher and used his beautiful tenor voice in several of the choirs at Friendship. He was a dedicated and faithful servant to his church until he could serve no more.

Some of his favorite hobbies included spending time with his family, working in his manicured yard, singing, playing basketball, and shooting pool with his cousin Blame. He also enjoyed travelling back to Alabama to see his other siblings, in-laws and just spending time in the country.

He was employed by Lubrizol Corporation for many years and retired February 22, 1994. After his retirement from Lubrizol he continued to work part-time at TRW until they closed down.

He leaves to mourn, his wife Mildred Dailey of 64 years, his children James A. Dailey, Jr. (Patricia) Dolly Marie Dailey, and Patricia Dailey-Johnson (James), three grandchildren, Issom Patterson, James A. Dailey, III, and Erica Parham. Three great grandchildren: Kyla Dailey, Issom Patterson, Jr., and Aubrey Patterson, one brother, Herman Dailey, and a host of nieces and nephews.