IN LOVING MEMORY OF NEIL BAILEY

LOVINGLY KNOWN AS, “POPS”

A pillar of the Shelby County community, Mr. Bailey was a tireless supporter of The DAY Program, a non-profit, academic program for at-risk adolescents, located in Alabaster, Alabama, for over 35 years. He believed in the mission of the program, and he made it his mission to get to know the successes and struggles of the children involved. A source of constant generosity and tireless efforts, he provided gifts and resources that were vital to the school, students, and families, including the facility located in Alabaster, AL.

Through a stream of events, Autumn became a student of The Day Program in her eleventh grade year of high school. After having changed schools multiple times throughout grade school, Autumn realized she had somehow fallen through the cracks academically and became discouraged about her future. Autumn's counselor, Mrs. Yvonne Green, played an instrumental role in her life while attending The Day Program; this is where she found the support and encouragement she needed to believe in herself and where the trajectory of her life changed. What’s more, through what could have only been divinely orchestrated, Autumn met Mr. Bailey while she was attending the Day Program, not knowing he would later become the Dad she never had and lovingly known as ‘Pops’ to her and her future children.

Another full circle moment for Autumn was learning that the attorney appointed to her as a baby, now retired Justice Patricia ‘Patti’ Smith, was the founder of The DAY Program. Mr. Bailey joined Justice Smith a few years after The Day Program was founded in 1983, and the two became close friends over many years of advocating for at-risk youth. She is also a dear mentor to Autumn, more like family, and is lovingly referred to as ‘Patticakes’ by Autumn and her girls.

Later, Autumn became one of the first recipients of a full academic scholarship created by Mr. Bailey for the students at DAY. Autumn attended Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama where she pursued a degree in nursing. When she graduated with her AAS in nursing from WSCC, Mr. Bailey was right by her side, and again, when she later completed her BSN at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. He encouraged her every step of the way. Tragically, as Autumn was in her second semester of her Master’s program, Mr. Bailey suddenly passed away and would not be there to see Autumn obtain her PMHNP. However, his belief in Autumn fueled her to persevere.

Mr. Bailey believed in Autumn like no other. Without his time, love, support, encouragement, generosity, wisdom, and belief in her over the years, Autumn believes wholeheartedly, she would not be where she is today. He is the reason she found hope in this world. Leaving behind a legacy of generosity and kindness, Mr. Bailey was the most remarkable human being and Autumn will forever be grateful for the impact he made on her life. Autumn is dedicated to continuing his mission and commitment to the children of the DAY Program, those in our community, and throughout Alabama. Her private practice is dedicated to Mr. Bailey, her late grandparents, her children, and to the little girl inside her.