DAPHNE, Alabama— Late Mayor Bailey Yelding Jr. was memorialized Sunday with a live oak planted in the park named after his wife, Elizabeth S. Yelding.

Mayor Yelding lost his battle with cancer in January. He served as Daphne’s first elected African-American mayor.

“Bailey Yelding set an example for others not just at home, but in the community as well,” said Yelding’s pastor Reverend Charles Jackson of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.

Students, faculty and staff of Daphne East Elementary school raised the funds for the tree that was planted in Yelding’s honor.

School officials said the tree will serve as a memorial to a man who gave his all to the betterment of the entire community.

“I think this is a fitting tribute,” Councilman Randy Fry said. “Bailey touched the whole community. He was a great leader to this city, and I was very saddened by his passing. He could work with anyone and brought people together.”

The live oak tree was planted in the park named for Yelding’s late wife Elizabeth.

In 2008, then-Councilman Yelding said that their family would forever cherish the park. Elizabeth Yelding was a teacher for 30 years at Baldwin County Training School and Spanish Fort Elementary.

“It’s perfect that this tree for my father is planted in the park named for my mother,” Yelding’s son Ric Yelding said at the service. “My father was a man of few words, but many actions. He taught us that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.”

Elizabeth S. Yelding Park is located at the corner of Guarisco Street and Manci Avenue in downtown Daphne.