Tributes

Faith Bailey was born on June 13, 1947 in Harlem Hospital, New York, the baby girl of William and Jesse Bailey both of whom have preceded her in death. Faith or Faye as she was called, grew up in the suburb of Corona, NY until her mom packed up the family when Faye was in the 3rd grade and relocated to rural Middleburgh, NY. It was there in Middleburgh where Faye developed her love for plants and flowers. She had a green thumb when it came to her plants. This love would follow her throughout life. In June of 1965, Faye graduated Middleburgh Central School and returned to the family home in Corona, NY to make her mark on the world. Faye had a desire to try and learn as many things as possible. although she did not return to college to obtain a degree, until she was 70 years old, she taught herself to cornrow, crochet, knit, scrapbooking, jewelry making, photography, and baking. Her love of the English language and vocabulary and her quest for knowledge continued by playing word games such a scrabble daily with her sister, Hazel. She a walking dictionary! This love of word games continued well into her 70s until she could no longer play. Faye’s love of photography was something she developed in her 20s and continued until her 70s. You could always find her with two cameras in her bag at all times. She would be photographing family and friends, church events, vacations, foliage, clouds, decorated Christmas trees, making doll clothes; you name it she took a picture of it. In her yearbook they listed she wanted 10 girls. She has six daughters: Stacy, Michelle, Courtney, Yvette “KiKi”, L’Naiya and Catherine “Cjae” and then her God daughters Germaine, Ashanti, Shonda and Rebecca. She fulfilled her desire for 10 girls. Faye loved to travel via cruise and vacation in Disney or simply enjoying nature on a trail ride. She believed in exposing her daughters to a world outside of the community you live in. You would often find her and her travel buddies Marian Bennett (R.I.P), Hattie Williams and later Tammie Taylor (R.I.P.) on an adventure. While traveling, she photographed everything. Faye’s love of caring for children (girls in particular) leads her to become a foster parent in 1985.Before she closed her home in 1992, Faye had fostered a total of 30 girls. She was often complemented on the way she keeps her girls dressed and how her girls never stepped outside without their hair fried, dyed, and laid to the side. Her love of doing hair caused her to learn how to cornrow, straighten and perm hair. Just like with her plants, Faye had a way of growing hair on little girl’s heads. A few of her daughters were often questioned if their hair was real or a weave. As if little brown girls are not supposed to have long hair. If you saw Faye, then you saw her arm full of West Indian bangles. They were her signature accessory. She often told her children that her bracelets were to bury with her, or she would haunt them from the grave. If you were lucky or blessed to receive a bangle taken from her arm, you have an everlasting memory of something that was dear to her heart. After raising 6 daughters and then her granddaughter, Mikyiah, Faye decided to return to school and get a college education. Not only did she obtain a degree, but she was on the Dean’s list at 70 years old. She proudly walked the stage arthritis and all before her daughters, granddaughters, and her great granddaughter. She believed in education and continued learning. Her children were not permitted to fail in school. She said if God gave you a brain, then use it! During her 76 years on this earth, Faith accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She was an active member of Antioch Baptist Church of Corona until she relocated to Greenville, NC 27 years ago and became an active member of Philippi Church of Christ. On Saturday, April 20, 2024 God called Faith home after a nine year battle with cancer. No, cancer did not win! If Faye could describe her transition, I believe she would say she hit a triple word bingo! (Scrabble term for the highest score possible) She arrived in heaven- no more pain and suffering. Faith leaves to cherish her memories her six daughters, Stacy Rice of Bronx, NY, Michelle Sasser of Winterville, NC, Courtney Benjamin (David), Yvette White, L’Naiya Bailey and Catherine Bailey all of Greenville, NC; two grandsons , Jordan Mercer of Bronx, NY, Kheon Bradberry of Greenville, NC; two granddaughters, Mikyiah Bailey of Greenville, NC, Rimyiah Sasser of Winterville, NC; her great-granddaughter, Caretta “Kimmie” Mercer of Bronx, NY; four God-daughters, Germaine Stewart, Ashanti Bartlett, Shonda Williams and Rebecca Richmond; one God-son, Tyrone Manning of Little Rock , AK; her brother, Floyd Gars of Middleburgh, NY; sister, Louise Palmore of Brooklyn, NY; segregate sister, Kay Peck -Maxwell of Bronx, NY; her home-care aide, Claudette who became more like family and a host of nieces and nephews and friends.

Tributes

Ms. Faith Bailey

June 13, 1947 - April 20, 2024