Robert Bailey Person was called to eternal rest on March 4, 2016 at 2:30pm, having lived a full and richly blessed life of ninety-four years. Robert was the fifth of seven children born to the late Richard Bailey Person and Clotteal (Dukes) Person. He was born on October 25, 1921 in Water Valley, Mississippi.

Robert confessed his faith in Christ at an early age, and served as a faithful member of Metropolitan M. B. Church in Chicago, IL for many years.

At the age of twenty-one, Robert enlisted in the US Army, and served in Europe during World War II. After the war, he began work with The Erie Railroad Company, and remained with the railroad until retirement some thirty years later. Soon after joining the railroad, he moved to Chicago, IL where he would live the rest of his adult life.

Robert was indeed a dedicated worker, fiercely independent, and a man of many talents; he had a sharp wit and was always quick with a joke, and on occasion, he might break into a soulful version of a favorite song, or speak a bit of German he picked up overseas. Robert was a wealth of knowledge; he kept a stack of maps next to his favorite chair, stayed up on current news, and usually watched documentaries, unless it was time for “Jeopardy!” or “The Wheel.” He was also living family history, blessed with a tremendous memory, and could recall names, dates, and details from the past as if they happened yesterday.

Above all, Robert will be remembered for his love of family. He was united in Holy Matrimony with Pauline (Brown) Delaney, and the house that they built together became home for many: not only for their children, but a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren. Their bond remained unbroken for over fifty years until her passing in 2007.

Along with his wife and parents, Robert was preceded in death by two brothers (John Eddie, Herman Sr.), three sisters (LeVora, Lena, Jessie), and two sons (Robert Person, Clyde Brown).

He leaves to cherish his memories: his brother Floyd (Pauline) Person of Memphis, TN; sisters-in-law Mary Alice Person of Water Valley, MS and Earlene Williams of Coffeeville, MS; daughters Anna L. Williams Brown of Chicago, IL, Barbara (Elbert Jr.) Simmons of Jackson, MS, and Audrey (Raymond) Chandler of Chicago, IL; grandchildren Aquanette Thompson, Rafeal (Danyual) Williams, Robert (Regina) Herron, Simon Chandler, Bonita Harris, Eugene Simmons, Birdie Brown, Lavante (Kimberly) Epson, Lincoln Chandler, Elbert Simmons III; twenty-two great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and many more relatives and friends