Blossie Mae Bailey

February 27, 1940 - November 6, 2020

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only but unto all them, also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 7-8 Mom, Sister, Grandma, Aunt Blossie passed away peacefully at the age of 80 years. Blossie Mae Bailey was born in Barton, Arkansas, on February 27, 1940, to the late Elijah Clarence and Eva Lee Cornelious, Sr. She confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and continued to serve the Lord throughout her life. She was a proud graduate of Clarence Vernon White High School and Phillips Community College. She married the late Emres Bailey, Sr. on June 10, 1961, and from this union, six children were born. She was an Educator for over 35 years at Lakeview Elementary and Clarence Vernon White High School, where she taught Math, Reading, and Spelling. Sister Bailey was a devoted mother providing leadership and support to the varying interest of her children. She was active in her community, serving on committees with the local school system and city government. Sister Bailey believed in each citizen's power and responsibility, so she devoted her time as an election poll worker and encouraged others to vote. Sister Bailey served her God and her church as both the President of the Missionary Society and a finance committee member at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. She was an active member of the church until her health began to decline, but her faith never wavered. She could always be found with her Bible and a crossword puzzle book. She is preceded in death by her parents: Elijah Clarence and Eva Lee Cornelious, Sr.; husband, Emres Bailey, Sr.; two brothers, Elijah Cornelious, Jr. and Lloyd Cornelious; two daughters, Kern Bailey and Yolundia Lott; and one son, Albert Bailey. She is survived by her son, Emres Bailey, Jr. of Country Club Hills, Illinois; two daughters, Carolyen (Myron) Caraway of Dallas, Texas and Linnie (Terry) Appleberry of North Little Rock, AR; one brother, Christopher (Betty) Cornelious of West Helena, AR; six sisters, Annie Bell Cornelious, of West Helena, AR; Juanita Cornelious of Memphis, TN; Josephine Cornelious of Barton, AR; Genora Cornelious of West Helena, AR; Frances Stackhouse of West Helena, AR; and Barbara (John) Armour of Tupelo, MS. Also left to mourn her passing are her eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, colleagues, and students that she touched deeply. To Those I Love & Those Who Love Me” When I am gone, release me, and let me go...I have so many things to see and do. You cannot tie yourself to me with tears... Be thankful for our beautiful years, I gave you my love, you can only guess...How much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love each of you have shown...But now it’s time that I travel alone. So grieve a while from me, if grieve you must...Then let your grief be comforted by trust. It’s only for a while that we must part...So bless the memories within your heart. Tributes A TRIBUTE TO MAMA Mama, When we needed you, you were always there. You taught us to love, to be patient, to be kind, to be faithful, to seek understanding, and to dedicate our lives to God. You were kind and always concerned about the well-being of your family. You were a woman of faith, love, and assurance. You gave your strength, you gave us encouragement and most of all your love. Mama, you will always be with us and we will see you again. We love you! Love, Your Children AS WE LOOK BACK As we look back over time We find ourselves wondering...….. Did we remember to thank enough For all you have done for us? For all the times you were by our sides To help and support us...… To celebrate our successes To understand our problems And accept our defeats? Or for teaching us by your example, The value of hard work, good judgment, Courage and integrity? We wonder if we ever thanked you For the sacrifices you made. To let us have the very best? And for the simple things Like laughter, smiles and times we shared? If we have forgotten to show our Gratitude enough for all the things you did, We're thanking you now. And we are hoping you knew all along, How much you meant to us. Love, The Cornelious Family OUR BELOVED GRANDMOTHER A beautiful woman with a golden heart, when times got rough you kept us close and was never apart. You shared your love and kindness with everyone and we will always cherish our memories of you! The moments you spent teaching and loving us are so unforgettable. Our childhoods were filled with so much laughter and excitement. Your door was always open to anyone in need, and you knew we all needed a helping hand. You are an inspiration to all of us, the glue that holds us together. Although we will miss you more and more each day, we will carry you in our hearts and our spirits. We know we have an angel watching over us! We love you Grandma! Love, Your Grandchildren MY DEAR MOTHER Mommy, thank you for all the sacrifices you made throughout my life. Thank you for helping me grow into the woman I am today. I have always tried to live my life by your recipe for life. A pinch of……………………….PATIENCE A spoonful of……………………LAUGHTER A dash of………………….…….KINDNESS And a heap of……………………LOVE I will miss you so much And I will always LOVE you! Love your daughter, Carolyen WAIT A MINUTE NOW "Wait a minute now", she said (never raising her voice). This was our Aunt Blossie. If you ever had a real talk with her, you probably heard her say these four little words. Four little strong words (which is why she didn't have to holler them at somebody). Somebody could be anybody; her children, your children, your momma, your daddy, the next-door neighbor, the car driving too fast down the dirt road. It really did not matter. What did matter was LISTENING. Listening whenever she said, "Wait a minute now". These words could mean different things at different times. Such as that time when she may need to let you know you ain't grown; that time when she was trying to guide a student in the right direction, or that time she was gon' definitely get her point across. Then there was that time she was just suggesting a different way of looking at a situation. Believe or not, there may have been a time that Aunt Blossie spoke these words at a " ol' country lie " and stopped that lie dead in its tracks. It could have happened. Seriously though, that is how strong these words could be coming from her. Now, the who's and when's really don't matter today. What matters today, tomorrow and the days after tomorrow, is that we realize, in her own special way, she gave us her love. It was the old-fashioned honest love that comes with respect, dignity, and honor, and/ or a switch, for us who were a little hard of hearing. For Aunt Blossie, we are "Now, Waiting this Minute", this time, to remember her love. Remembering today, so that tomorrow she will always be with us. Whether you are family, friends, church members, classmates, neighbors, doctors, nurses, young, old, if you ever knew her, you knew a beautiful, sincere, and funny lady. Love, The Bailey Family Due to Covid-19 we are asking everyone in attendance to wear your face mask at all times. Please keep not only the Bailey and Cornelious family safe, but for the well being of others. Thank You