Statement from Dean Corey D. B. Walker on the Passing of Rev. Dr. Douglass M. Bailey ’60
Winston-Salem, N.C. — “The Wake Forest University School of Divinity community remembers the life and witness of the Reverend Dr. Douglass M. Bailey ’60. Doug was a cherished member and dedicated faculty member of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity community. He brought wisdom, compassion, and theological depth to our shared work of preparing students for lives of ministry, leadership, and service. His teaching was marked by a pastoral presence that nurtured the spiritual and vocational growth of our students.
“Doug’s steadfast commitment to equity and justice shaped his life and ministry. Rooted in the Gospel and guided by a vision of beloved community, he consistently championed the dignity of all people, particularly those pushed to the margins. His work embodied the heart of the School of Divinity’s mission, and his presence strengthened our collective pursuit of justice, reconciliation, and compassion.
“Doug’s ministry in the classroom, in congregations, and in the community exemplified his unwavering discipleship and faithful witness to a God who draws near to the vulnerable, lifts the oppressed, and calls each of us to a deeper, more generous love.
“We give thanks for Doug’s life, his service to Wake Divinity, and the immeasurable gift of his presence among us. May his life and enduring legacy inspire us to live faithful lives with courage, conviction, and compassion.”
Dean Corey D. B. Walker
Wake Forest University School of Divinity
About the Wake Forest University School of Divinity
Founded in 1999, Wake Forest University School of Divinity is a graduate, professional school that is Christian by tradition, Baptist in heritage, and ecumenical in outlook. Guided by the University’s motto, Pro Humanitate, the School prepares leaders informed by a theological understanding of vocation and equipped to serve as agents of justice, reconciliation, and compassion in a complex world. The School offers masters and doctoral degree programs including dual degree programs in bioethics, counseling, education, law, management, and sustainability.
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