TULSA, Okla. -- A beloved North Tulsa reverend passed away on Valentine's Day, after serving Saint Andrew Baptist Church for 37 years.
Reverend Bertrand Bailey developed ministries and fed the homeless, but his family said the pastor's biggest role was creating a safe haven for his neighbors.
"A light shines brightest in the darkest places. This church was sent here to be a light in the community, no matter how dark," his son Bertheophilus Bailey said.
Bailey's family plans to continue his mission of spreading love for the community.
"He was giving. He always wanted to give and to do. He had a boisterous laugh. Oh I wish you could have heard him laugh," his wife Juandalyn Bailey said.
The husband and father to 11 children always wanted to keep the fun alive for his family. Just last week he promised his wife a dinner and movie date for Valentine's Day.
"My ten living children set up his hospital room with rose petals, roses, dinner balloons... so their dad could keep his promise to me," Bailey said.
The lessons Reverend Bailey taught in the church, he also preached at home. The biggest one? How to love without limits.
"I slept in his chair the first night and I felt like his arms were around me and I felt... like we're going to be okay. Because he's not going to leave us. He's in our hearts... forever," Bertricia Neil said.
There will be two services for Bailey next weekend. One at St. Andrew on Friday at 7:00. The other is at 10:30 on the 24th at the First Baptist Church.
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