A tapestry of memories

Dearest Family & Friends

Thank you all for being here…

Please allow me….to welcome you all, to Dodie’s Juke Joint!!!! we are here to Honor and Celebrate his Life, his Legacy, and to be in mourning together for my Uncle Carlos “Dodie” Bailey.

Although all of us know each other I still want to mention how the web connects for those whose memories need a little more time to catch up to the face.. my name is Alisha, I am Deborah Ann’s oldest daughter but more affectionately known as “Poody”

We have a beautiful and Soulful program lined up for you today

but first for now, I ask that you give me a few minutes to talk us through a couple of my life experiences with my Uncle Dody,

My earliest memories of life as a Bailey and what that even meant were on Washington & Marengo (Dody working on cars in the back carport with Granddaddy and his friends there was a lot going on back there because most of the time they ran us kids out, back up to the front where our mamas and Big mana were ALWAYS Cleaning, cooking, singing, and trying to get ready for church on Sunday or some family party or gathering ) Dody was only 7-12 years older than a lot of us Nieces and nephews who grew up in big mama and granddaddy’s house with him, so to us he seemed more like an older brother rather than an uncle during those years. He was always a low key prankster he loved a good joke and always delivered some of the most belly busting laughs over all of the years that we had him…once, I recall him giving me, Nino, and Tiease a whole garlic clove each and he told us that big mama said eat this..because he knew we were always going to do whatever Big mama said because there were consequences and repercussions for doing otherwise lol…well in this event she did not send him to give us that garlic he was just getting us back for one thing or a another that we had done to him earlier in the day lol

Over the last few weeks while we have been processing this tremendous loss of our beloved Dodie, I have had a word in my spirit to share with you all when I saw you here today. I slipped down memory lane so many times just thinking about all our family history from Down South, to Watts, to Compton and of course to Pasadena Ca and just how beautifully blessed we have been to have you all in our lives from then until now…

There is a quote that says If you want to go fast you go alone but if you want to go far you must go together

me and my uncle often spoke on the phone I last spoke with him on his birthday right before Thanksgiving, but the last time that I saw him was when we went to Jacksonville last summer, and I got a chance for him to proudly show me his stomping grounds, and I had to make him his enchiladas that he loved so much and on his birthday he asked me if I could make him some posole. I’m going to miss our little chit chats…

I will miss his playful spirit and how he protected us ALWAYS…

As I look around this room today I see a lot of people who have been here through out this journey…

The last time that we cried this hard for dody was circa early 1980’s, When he moved to Texas and we had never been separated from him before we fell out !!! as uncle velmars big rig truck pulled off of el sereno with uncle dody heading to Texas.. lol

My last memory that I will share is a collective of many many many years of routine and expectations …these were Bailey Sunday mornings with RB & Desiree
We all met up at the big house and caravanned to Gods Temple of Deliverance Church in Compton CA And we arrived at church Together, we walked in together and we sat together I didn’t know it then but today I am honored to have had those days with our core family to exemplify unity and strength.
Do you all remember how powerful and safe that space felt? I do, and I also remember what it taught me. What it taught us !!
In this moment in this place I just wanted to remind us of who we are as a family and pay homage to the lives, the legacy, and the ancestors who came before us and left the blueprint.

When RB @ Desiree BAILEY moved to Pasadena to finish raising their 10 children and then all of us grandchildren who were born between 1971 and 1986 this became HOME although we no longer hold down multiple addresses in this city the roots run very deeply here and it only feels right to stand in this exact place where Big Mama & her friends once created memories..

I would like to Loudly and Publicy Thank ALL OF THE BAILEY’s who traveled from near or far to celebrate the life of Carlos but I need to put a little extra shout out to My Mom Deborah Rials my Aunty Rachel Bussey my Aunty Sherry Bailey Romero my cousin Rell Bussey Narii Narii Channon Bussey Mia Mia Brand Bey Bailey Robert III Tiease Medina my sisters Candice Grayes Crystal Princess Ree Grayes

This was an opportunity for us to mourn and move on in unity snd love towrds this reality that Catlos is gone from his earthly body and now present with the Lord

Tarlos Bailey.... Where do I begin when it comes to you. I loved how you loved Wadi. You will be missed and I wish we could have spent more time together. Glad for the time. Uncle Dodie 1 of a Kind♥️🌹
Love you always,
Yo Wadi

There's my Uncle...and there's my Niecy he would say. Love and miss you my Daddy's twin. .My your soul rest in heavenly peace. Embrace my mommie and dad for me. Memories of your destintive voice and the laughter you brought to all. Thank you for sharing your bold and joyful personality to all who knew you. ♥️♥️😥♥️

“My uncle laugher “ I could still hear him just looking at the pictures 🎈♥️🥰🥰🥰🥰nothing but good memories!

Carlos you are missed. From the first time that we all got together with you and Anne we hit it off. You and Anne were and still are like family to us. Gone but never forgotten. Rest in Heaven until we meet again.
From Terry and Pam Harris - Jacksonville Fl

Carlos loved his family and that's what drew me to him. He was a family man. God gave him many gifts. Deac would go into the pulpit on Sundays and deliver prayers that had substance,clarity,love and care for everyone. Carlos would cook meals that 5 star restaurants would pay good money to have,but he didn't give up his recipes..lol. He shared that delicious food freely with everyone. Carlos would model grills that could have sold for thousands of dollars. There are many right here in this city that countless people are still using. Oh...h and when he sang,his voice was like an angel. He could dress to perfection and had people admiring all those different shoes with the suits and matching shirts,ties,cuff links,hats. The gifts that Carlos was given from God,he used them well and 100% I believe God said"well done thy good and faithful servant. Enter into thy rest." Deac,I missed you yesterday and I miss you today and I will miss you forever.I Love you, Elizabeth Anne Bailey

Oh Uncle 😢🙏🏽 I’m really going to miss hearing your voice, your jokes and all the funny moments…like that time we had that big brawl down at the city hall 😅 and we had to make a run for it 🏃🏾‍♀️💨 or the time when you were a bus driver for the Pasadena Arts Bus (The free bus) and how you use to wait everyday to close the door on the late & silly kids, which happed to be your nieces (Me & Tiff) our friends and your nephews (Johnathan & Cameron)😂, but after we found our own way home you were right there being our regular fun and crazy uncle. I’m so grateful for all the memories of the times we spent together and how you always had our back! I admire your heart of forgiveness and your posture of protection. Rest in the arms of the Almighty!
One thing that I am sure of is my uncle was right with God so on that note see you again Uncle aka Deacon Bailey 😭 I love you!!!

Love Always,
Narii Narii