Delores Shuford Bailey's Obituary
Delores Bailey Obituary
Delores Shuford Bailey was given by God to Smith Lee Alford and Rose Shuford Reynolds on January 29, 1953 in Holly Springs, Mississippi. After her mother united in holy matrimony with the love of her life, Hal Reynolds, Jr, he raised her and loved her as his very own. She was the oldest of 7 children, one of whom preceded her in death (Laverne).
Delores attended various schools before returning to Mississippi to attend Rush College, where she majored in Business. She then attended Northwest Community College, where she received a Certified Nursing Assistant License. Delores also earned a diploma in Medical Billing and Coding from Remington College; no matter what her life's situation consisted of Delores managed to stay gainfully employed. Her talents were developed through her experiences with Mulay Plastics, Met Share, Care Inn Nursing Home, and Saint Francis and Marshall County Hospitals, to name a few. She gave love to every patient that she encountered, and more often than not, the love was reciprocated.
Delores' spiritual life was developed at an early age. She was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Mississippi. Later, she became a member of New Dimension Salt and Light Ministries, where she served as a greeter and a missionary. Her calling afforded her the opportunity to reach out and love those who needed to know that someone cared, whether it was the hospital room or the prison cell. She consistently provided spiritual and emotional support, in spite of their past, and comforting guidance into their future. As well, her role as a greeter followed the example of Jesus in providing a friendly welcome to all guests at her church and offering direction for anyone needing information or help. She spread the love of Christ all through social media and all those she came in contact with.
Delores accepted the invitation to join Mayo A.M.E. Church Women's Missionary Society and had planned to join Mayo AME Church (Matteson) to continue her Christian journey before her health prevented her from doing so. Moreover, despite her own health challenges, Delores returned to Chicago to care for her mother until her transition in 2022, which truly demonstrates her faith walk in putting others before herself That love extended to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who were her world. Although she lived a quiet life, her heart distributed enough love and care for everyone. To her, even friends were family.
Delores transitioned into eternity on May 4, 2024, at South Suburban Hospital, after life on this side could no longer sustain her beautiful spirit. Her body may cease to exist, but her spirit will live through her three children; Rickey Shuford, Chris Bailey, and Dorothy Bailey-Everett (Melvin); five grandchildren: D'erika Bailey, Deidre Bailey, Karmesia Bailey, Breanna Bailey and Isiah Bailey; three great-grandchildren; Jeremiah Wilks, Carter Bowen and Chassity Bailey; 8 siblings; Johnny Reynolds (Sharon), Floyd Reynolds (Sue), Deborah Reynolds, Sharon Muhammad (Carl), Bridget Reynolds, Teresa Cox (Michael), Alicia Alford-Heard (Zackary); two aunts; Camellia Ware (Reggie), and Charlene Hayes (Floyd); and a network of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Waiting for her on the other side are her parents, her sister Laverne, and her grandson Montra (Trey).
If we were left with anything that best describes her, and anything that Delores would require of us, it would be to remember her. Talk about her often, and keep her in the minds of the young people, both present and future. Above all, keep loving each other, and remember, she loved us ALL!!!!!
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