Pastor Royce Eddison Bailey was born on July 27, 1952 to the late Roy Neal and Christana Bailey and was reared in the city of Malvern, Arkansas. He attended Bethel AME church where he was active as a youth. In June of 1985, he moved to Miami, Florida where he met and married his wife of 35 years, Denise Bailey. They both moved to Pembroke Pines, Florida where they lived until the time of his death. Pastor Bailey received his formal education through the Malvern Public school system. He attended Tuggle Elementary, Malvern High school, West Ark Junior College and the College of the Ozarks. Those who know him know that he loved the game of basketball and played at the High School and College level. He was also on the All Forces Basketball team while enlisted in the United States Army. After moving to the Miami area, Royce became very active in community service. He coached a boys basketball team for the PAL Organization (Police Athletic/Activites League). The team consisted of his nephew Chrishaun Bailey, who he reared for nine years, and other boys from the neighborhood. They were local champs and went on to play at the State level. He dedicated many hours to the team and also coached the boys in life skills. He also coached boys with other basketball leagues. Pastor Bailey also became very involved in outreach and evangelism. In the early 90's he established Personal Touch Outreach Ministries and began street ministry for the homeless. He and his wife Denise held regular outdoor services and fed homeless people in the downtown Miami area. They established weekly Sunday church services and weekly sidewalk Bible studies in their home for the unchurched neighborhood children. Pastor Bailey was also very involved in jail ministry. He visited a prison in the local area where he ministered and preached the Word of God. On April 12, 2016, the University of the Cumberlands honored Pastor Royce Bailey with a Christian Leadership Award which was presented by Dr. William Franklin Graham, IV and Dr. Larry L. Cockrum , University President. In 2003, Royce Bailey was ordained as a pastor. He worked very closely with pastors in various churches and taught and preached the Word of God on a regular basis, while continuing outreach and missionary work for Personal Touch Outreach Ministries. In early 2019, Pastor Bailey stated that the Lord was directing him to start a church ministry by way of telephone. He left the local church and began having church services via telephone. Not many weeks after that, the Coronavirus outbreak caused most churches to close. Pastor Bailey held weekly telephone services until his death. Pastor Bailey leaves his family to cherish his memories: Wife, Denise Bailey; brothers, Raymond Neal Bailey (Joetta), Lawrence Gregory Bailey; one aunt Dorothy Phifer; cousins, Judy Bailey Bensinger (Roger) and Katrenia Perry. Pastor Bailey also leaves behind a host of other cousins and relatives, many classmates, and friends Samuel L. Vance & Sons Funeral Directors " The Epitome of Service " WILL LIE IN PEACEFUL REPOSE Saturday, February 18, 2023 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church 1220 Carmichael Street Malvern, AR 72104 CELEBRATION OF LIFE Saturday, February 18, 2023 1:00 PM Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church 1220 Carmichael Street Malvern, AR 72104