Mrs. Danielle Bailey-Lash, 45, of Walnut Cove,NC died November 30, 2019. Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Union Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Danielle Kara Bailey-Lash received her angel wings on November 30, 2019 after a long battle with brain cancer. Her final days were spent surrounded by loving family and friends that she touched in some special way throughout her life. Danielle was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 13, 1974.

After graduating from South Stokes Sr. High School she attended North Carolina A&T State University. When she entered the workforce Danielle excelled in customer service moving up quickly at both BB&T and American Express. Despite receiving treatment for cancer, she resumed her educational pursuits at Guilford Technical Community College in the fall semester of 2018. A long-time resident of Walnut Cove, NC, she was a devoted and loving mother to her two children: son, Anthony Lash and daughter, Amani Lash and a doting grandmother to grandson, Eli Lash. A woman of God, she lived a life of consequence with conviction. Her unwavering faith guided her every step. Danielle was a member of Greater Church where she served as a greeter and a volunteer for several missions focused on community service. She is a person who knows that when one door closes a window will be opened. Danielle was a member of the Modernistic Club, a group of Christian women dedicated to serving their community through charitable works and scholarship. Most would describe Danielle as a sweet and loving spirit who worked tirelessly to bring family, friends and people together in pursuit of common goals. Danielle challenged the status quo with her intelligence, courage, determination and belief in doing what was right.

A committed and powerful voice for environmental issues, she became a “hometown activist” after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2010 and learning of the impact of the environment on the health and safety of communities. She was actively involved in Coal Ash Clean-up and Appalachian Voices, working to educate her neighbors about the dangers of coal ash waste from the Belews Creek power plant in Pine Hall, NC. Danielle was sought after as a speaker to share her story about the harmful effects of the coal ash and water pollution. One most notable event, included an appearance with Former Vice President Al Gore. Danielle was also featured in an interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN medical reporter and has been quoted in major newspapers including the New York Times. Recently, Danielle made history as the first African American woman elected as a Walnut Cove Town Commissioner. Even though she was ill, she pursued this position to help ensure that health and safety were given the highest priority in her community. Danielle was deeply loved by her family and friends. She will be on our minds and hearts forever. She leaves to cherish her memory, two children: Anthony Mason Lash (son), Amani Alexis Lash (daughter), her mother Sandra Thomas and step father, Henry Thomas; sister, Michelle Motley; Brother in-law, Paul Motley; Grandson Eli Lash, close friend Jennifer L. Martin, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives, friends and co-workers.