I cried when you passed away. I still cry today.
Although I loved you dearly, I could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest.
God broke my heart to prove to me He only takes the best.
~ Sister Linda and Brother Duke

The blessing of Mary Bailey transitioned on March 19, 2023 at St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh, NY.

Sister Mary was born on June 29, 1962 to two lovely parents, married and happily joined together as one. Hoover Smith and Betty Smith married together and stayed together until death did them part. Sister Mary believed in a strong marriage. She was married to her husband, Reuben Bailey, for over 30 years and they held on to each other until the end came for her.
Mary was a very bright young lady, always smiling; but if you got that smile twisted, you knew what time it was. Mary was blessed to have five siblings - two brothers, David Smith (NC) and James Smith (deceased); three sisters, Linda Smith (NY), Shirley Jacobs (deceased), and Crystal McLean (NY). Mary could or would not ever forget her brother-in-law, Franklin Jacobs (Shirley's husband) and her sister-in-law, Jay Smith (NC).
Mary was raised in Dunn, North Carolina, where she graduated from Midway High School. She worked many jobs in the South. She really loved to sew and make clothes. She worked as a seamstress for many years and designed lots of clothing. Mary lived in the State of Florida for many years, working in many places including farms and orange orchards. She traveled to lots of states and lived in various locations. She had lots of fun at beaches and parks. Mary loved to make money. Although she was very serious about her money, she always had a heart of gold.
Mary decided to travel to New York to be with her sisters. While she was here, she met her husband Reuben Bailey. This made her family grow to include five sisters-in-law, Tiny, Merl, Christina, Gracey, and Loraine; five nieces, Novetta, Asia, Rasheen, Barbara, and Carron; and two nephews, Dogmen and Everton Bailey. She came to New York with the mind of going back to North Carolina, but it never happened. She stayed to help her sisters with their kids. Linda had six children: Pretzel, Jeamale, Elusse, Silk, Wylasha, and Jesse; and Shirley had five children: Tonya, Betty, James, Chris, and Maryann. She never had any kids of her own, so these NY kids kept her very busy. In the meantime, her family in the South was missing her also. Those nephews and nieces, James, Cal, Mickey, Little, and Kimberly … She had so much fun with the five of them, they wanted her to move back home with them. She missed them also, but she told them she would visit as often as she could - a promise she did keep. While she was in NY, she took on the same responsibility watching over her Godchildren, whom she could call her very own kids: Trever Joyner, Lakeyta Edwards, and Osani Sanio. She enjoyed them very much and talking about the love they bestowed in her heart. With all the love Mary had surrounding her, she was also blessed with a nephew that was always on the go named Austin. He was always gone, but each time she met with him, she showed him love. She always teased him, saying, "You are just like my special brother … always on the go - (David Smith) Duke!!"
Mary was in love with NY, and she began to work on her career. She was employed at St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh, NY for 17 years, Sycox Nursing Home for 10 years, and Wingate Nursing Home for 5 years. Mary loved to work until they told her she could no longer work anymore, which made my sister Mary was so very sad. But she found new things to do with family and friends. Playing Bingo and going to the casino was a big plus for her - she loved it!! Her church was always a place she knew she had work to do. She was a member of Elder George Lesane Church in Newburgh when she first came to Newburgh many years ago. Later she became a member of the New Beginnings Church in Newburgh, NY. For many years, she was the Secretary, Treasurer, and Usher for Pastor Turner Brock and later with Elder Patricia Murray, a Sister and Pastor. Mary loved to cook and feed the hungry as part of her church ministry.
Mary will always be remembered by a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, nephews, nieces, friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins; and anyone that feels left out - just remember that Mary loved you if you loved her.
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven: A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck that which is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance" … Ecclesiastes 3:1- 4