The Jalieba, Kiadii, David and Hawa Kemah-Bing Kiawu families of the United States and Liberia announce the transition of our beloved father, grandfather, brother, cousin and friend, Mr. Bai Melvin Jalieba David, Sr.. He departed this life to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 6:30pm at the Helen Fuld Hospital, Trenton, New Jersey.
On November 23, 1953 Bai Melvin Jalieba David, Sr. was born in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia to his parents Mr. Alfred Bombo Jalieba David and Mrs. Hannah Miatta Sombai David.
Bai came from a humble beginning and grew up in the home with five of his eight siblings: Massa David Norris, Maima David, Boima Botay David, Hawa David Aboh, and Sao David; his other two siblings, Frances David and Nettie David Prall resided with their great-aunt and uncle next door; his family was close-knit.
Bai was obedient, kind and calm. He assisted in the supervision of his two younger siblings, Sao and Hawa. He was over protective of them; especially, Sao, his youngest brother. Bai and Sao shared a closed bond up until Bai’s passing.
Bai was raised in a neighborhood of interconnected family and kinfolk, which led to his deeply developed value for family and family ties. “It takes a village to raise a child.” This is true.
During his formative years in Robertsport, Bai formed lifelong friendships with his cousins and other relatives which lasted till his passing.
Spirituality played an integral role in the David’s household. Bai and his siblings were introduced to Christianity at very young ages. Bai’s parents were brought up in two separate religious denominations; namely, the First United Methodist Church of Robertsport, of which his father was a member, while his mother was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Bai took turns attending both Churches; he however, attended Sunday School at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Education was pivotal in the David’s household; like his siblings before him, Bai began his early childhood education at the Ciatta Freeman Government Kindergarten School in Robertsport. He successfully completed his Elementary and Junior High and transferred to the senior section of the High School in 1970. Bai excelled and graduated with high honors in 1973.
Bai played soccer in high school and became the school’s goal keeper during soccer matches; a job he did with distinction. He defended the goal with skills, class and bravery. He spent afternoons at the YMCA with other kids for tutoring, typing class and public speaking. He also enjoyed hiking and swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Piso.
Upon graduating from High School in 1973, Bai left Robertsport to attend the University of Liberia. While at the University, Bai along with other Liberian students were awarded a scholarship to study at different Universities in Romania, Southern Europe. Bai and the other students travelled to Romania in September of 1974 to pursue their college education.
Bai and Orpah met at the University of Liberia, in West Africa in 1974. They were classmates in a math class. After the first exam, the professor announced that one student had scored a 100% in the test, and that student was Bai M. David. Orpah, who was struggling in the class, sought the help of Bai. He consented to tutor her after class and on Saturday afternoons. They developed a friendship and with his help, she passed the math class. Sometimes later their friendship evolved into a romantic relationship.
In October 1974, Orpah travelled to the United States to pursue a college education. She settled in Trenton, NJ and began attending Mercer County Community College.
During the summer of 1975 Bai travelled from Romania to the United States to spend his summer break with his college sweetheart, Orpah.
Bai decided to remain in the United States and he and Orpah got married on September 29, 1975 and resided in Trenton, NJ. To that union was born, two sons, Bai Melvin David, Jr., and Jeremy C. David. They relocated to Willingboro, NJ in 1986. They both continued their college education, working full-time during the day and taking college classes at night. Orpah graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Trenton State College (currently known as the College of New Jersey) in 1988, and Bai also graduated from Trenton State College in 1989 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
Bai was employed by the State of New Jersey, Department of Treasury, Division of Office and Information Technology, known as OIT in 1980.
He began as a computer programmer, but was promoted several times and eventually became a manager, a title he held until he retired on August 1, 2017.
Bai and Orpah were divorced in May 2004, but remained good friends. Bai was a wonderful, loving, and supportive husband and father to his two sons, Melvin and Jeremy. There was nothing he would not do for his sons and grandchildren. When their sons got their drivers licenses, he bought each of them a car as a surprise. He also had three grandchildren, Ciara, Isaiah and Luna (Melvin’s kids) who he just loved and adored. Bai was very smart, hard-working and kind. Most importantly, Bai loved the Lord Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. He was a longtime member of Faith Deliverance Worship Center in Burlington, New Jersey. He served in the youth ministry, the Levitts, teaching young boys the love of Jesus, and how to live a godly life at home, the community and in school.
Nine years after their divorce, Bai fathered another child, Matthew Sherman David.
Bai enjoyed watching football, basketball, and CNN. The Eagles was his favorite NFL team. He also loved to read. Bai was predeceased by his parents Mr. Alfred Bombo Jalieba David and Mrs. Hannah Miatta Sombai David. He leaves to mourn his ex-wife, Orpah C. David and his sons Bai Melvin David, Jr., Jeremy C. David and Matthew Sherman David, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.
VIEWING:
T. L. Hutton’s funeral home on May 10, 2024 from 6:00pm -8:00pm. 1304 B. Route 130 North, Burlington, New Jersey-08016\
Funeral services:
Faith Deliverance Worship Center on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 10:00am to 12:pm
1304 A. Route 130 North, Burlington, New Jersey-08016
INTERMENT:
Lakeview Memorial Park
1300 US Rt. 130 North
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
REPAST:
Abundant Life Fellowship Church
4151 Route 130 South
Edgewater Park, NJ 08010
Contacts:
Nettie David Prall: 267-292-1221
Maima David: 401-226-6799
Hawa David Aboh: 401-378-2626
Sao David: +965 94426219
Sando J. Kiawu Jones: 240-205-2821
Mohamedu F. Jones: 240-888-5576
Faate Kiawu: 615-414-7224
Velma Kiawu Fahnbulleh: 301-655-1965
Massa Faika Harmon: 281-798-1646
Korlu Prall: 267-968-5974
Dao Richlue Freeman (Liberian Association, Trenton NJ): 609-433-7086
Martha N. Freeman (Liberian Associatiomn, Willimgboro, NJ): 267-707-8422
