Erik Deshaun Bailey was born on March 20, 1988, in Greensboro, NC. As a child, he moved to Winston-Salem. At the tender age of 14, he moved in with Monte and Shaunne Hall, where he resided until he graduated from Parkland High School in 2006. He continued his education at Shaw University in Raleigh, NC, then transferred to American Intercontinental University (AIU) in Dunwoody, GA. While living there, it became clear to Erik that home is truly where the heart is and he moved back to NC to be closer to family.

No stranger to working, Erik persevered in many jobs throughout the years to support himself, as well as to take care of his beloved son, Tyler James Bailey. Without a doubt, Tyler was the joy of his daddy's world! No matter what role you played in Erik's life, it was absolutely evident that no one came before Tyler, and ensuring his happiness was above all in his father's life. Nearly every conversation that Erik had included Tyler, and he often shared that he would always continue to grind for his son. To know Erik was to love him, he was big in stature, but his heart was even bigger! He loved fiercely and shared positive vibes with his sense of humor and drive to be greater. Erik pushed himself to consistently look forward to the future instead of dwelling on the past.

Not only was he lucky to have his biological family, but also blessed with a bonus family, as well as a host of friends that will miss him forever. We never could have imagined that our gentle giant, our Erik, would be taken from us so soon. We know that he would want us to remember him being a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, his fly swag, and to celebrate the beautiful memories and great times. Our hearts are broken by his physical absence, but we rejoice in knowing that he would entrust us with his most treasured gift, Tyler, who will continue to build and strengthen his legacy. Surely, his greatest request would be that we all ensure that we continue to make sure that Tyler is supported, uplifted, and knows how much his daddy will always love him.

Erik's lasting memory will continue to be cherished by his biological family: his mother, LaToya Boyd; his brother, Carlos "Lil Charles" Bailey; his sister, Latanya Bailey; his niece and nephew, Tiachyanna and Timothy Bailey; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. His loving memory will also forever be celebrated by his bonus family: his parents, Monte and Shaunne Hall, his brother, D'Ray; his younger sisters, Amaya and Laila Hall; his grandparents, Charles Clement and Michelle Blackwell; his Network aunties; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. In addition, Erik will forever live in the hearts of many other special people in his life that will miss him tremendously, including Michelle Myers (Tyler's mom), Shywanda Surgeon, Betty Jean "BJ" Searcy, Kolby "KO" Bailey, Vick Finney, and Michael Hayes, as well as many other friends and coworkers. He is preceded in death by his biological grandparents, Alice and Charlie Bailey, his bonus grandmother, Mamie Hall, and his bonus great grandmother, Marianne Holman. A memorial service will be held Wednesday August 10, 2022, at 12pm from Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. There will be no public viewing Arrangements are in the care of Douthit Funeral Services.