Reflections of Cedris Bailey- Loving Daughter, Sister and Aunt

Marc Antony, in his funeral oration in the popular Shakespeare work, Julius Caesar, is accredited with these words:
“The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones”
Our dear sister was not known to have evil in her. Mischief…yes but not evil nor malice.
She was the mischievous prankster in the family. She enjoyed a good laugh at our surprising or alarming reactions to her well devised plans to catch us off-guard with her spoken word or her deeds.
If per chance we were lost to the humor, she would not hesitate to ask, “…so what, you can’t take a joke”?
Cedris passed away August 3, 2018. Cedris loved family dearly. She did not have any children of her own. This, she claimed, did not bother her at all as she considered those of her siblings…all her nieces and nephews as her own.
She showed care and love for all of them, as she did for her siblings. She rejoiced in their successes and suffered in their pains.
She followed the Bailey family tree with a zeal that was almost unrivaled. She researched and explored the connections and branches over years and generations…and at times seemed pained that we all did not demonstrate that same zest.
From an early age she had a determined, fighting spirit. This served her well in her athletic pursuits at school.
Although not a ‘tomboy’ she was never afraid of a challenge from even the boys in the neighborhood. She played a good game of marbles and she could bowl (pitch) a cricket ball faster and better than many. They would struggle to keep up with her in any race and if she said, “…catch me if you can”, they knew it was all over.
Her determination and fighting spirit also served her well in making a life in New York City and later on in her failing health.
She did not complain much as she cared little for pity.
On reflection, she was even quite guarded about the severity of her condition as she did not wish to cause, what we now believe she considered to be, undue anxiety or distress in the family.
It is difficult to even fathom that she chose to run this last race without bringing much attention to herself.
But such is the path she chose, such is the path of a determined and fighting spirit…that no one could have run this race for her…and that she had to finish the course her way.
More importantly, she had a deep faith in God and she trusted Him to direct her path. Yes, we are all sad that she will no longer be with us physically. However, memories of her love and care, her peals of laughter and all her jovial mischief will linger with us forever.
These, for sure, will not be interred with her bones.
And as her path continues to everlasting rest in the Heavens above, just listen keenly…she may have whispered, with that mischievous but peaceful smile, “…catch me if you can”
Travel on to eternal rest, Dear, Loving Cedris.
Sleep on!
A memorial service will be taking place on Saturday, August 10, 2018 at 11am at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 E. Medical Center Blvd., Webster, TX 77598.