Bailey Ryan Dee

Our beloved Bailey Ryan Dee was born on August 8, 2000 in Champaign, Illinois. 

From a young age, Bailey loved to make everyone smile and laugh.  As a child, he spent days and hours studying his older brothers’ basketball skills, hence, birthing Bailey’s love for Basketball. Bailey brought passion, boldness, fearlessness and amazing skill to the basketball court. No one packed a gym like #1 Bailey Dee. Gracing many AAU Tournament Courts and Gyms, Bailey received a lot of his first recognition while playing at Edison Middle School where their team were regional champions. Entering his freshman year of high school, Bailey’s Junior Varsity Team continued the title regional champions. Playing and starting on varsity his sophomore and junior year, Bailey had many game winning shots, clutch moments, and TV worthy performances. In 2017, Bailey was named “2017 Second Team All American”. Bailey finished his high school career in 2018 at St. Louis Christian Academy. 

 He continued his education and attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I’m 2019, he lead the team to a NCAA Men’s Division II Basketball Championship.   In 2020, Bailey relocated to Danville Area Community College where he played Basketball and graduated with a Business Degree.  

The Bible expressly says “Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth.” Bailey accepted the Lord at an early age at Old Landmark Church of God in Christ. There he was active in the youth ministry and served faithfully as a volunteer in the Food Pantry and Sunday School Department. He was baptized by his grandfather Albert Lee upon his appointment to Pastor of Liberty Temple. Bailey served faithfully by his grandfathers side.

 Bailey incorporated his relationship with God on the court, always praying before games and traveling.

Bailey had dreams of having his own business. Always learning and listening, Bailey would ask whatever questions he needed to figure out how to make his dreams a reality. Loving the lavish and finer luxuries in life, Bailey’s favorite pass time, outside of basketball, was traveling with family. His most recent adventures included Puerto Rico, California, Las Vegas and Atlanta.  

Bailey Ryan Dee transitioned from the life, Saturday, June 26, 2021. He leaves to cherish his loving memory, his mother Sheri Dee-Lee; his dedicated father LeRoy Dee, his brothers and best friends Wesley Dee, Bradley Dee, and Conley Dee, a nephew Ayden Dee, grandparents Albert and Deloris Lee of Champaign; his great grandmother Ethel Miller of West Helena, Arkansas and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his Aunt Sally Carter and Cousin Roy Duckworth Jr. He is now reunited and embraced with loving arms by his grandparents Juanita Keys-Duckworth, LeRoy Dee Sr., and great grandfather Clarence Miller Sr.  Bailey will be remembered and missed by many.  

Funeral services will commence at 12pm, Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at The Vineyard Church, 1500 North Lincoln Ave., Urbana. A visitation will begin at 11am until the start of the service.  

Officiating Pastor Bobby Keys Sr. Interment Sanhill Memorial Park, Danville, IL.

Leek & Sons Funeral Home, 1215 West Bradley Ave., Urbana, IL. In charge of arrangements.

Due to Covid19 restrictions will be enforced.

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