“Her Story”

The Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics certified the birth of Sharon Elaine Bailey at 7:35 AM on July 25, 1943, to the parents of Alfred Leon Bailey and Beatrice Alletta Dugas-Bailey (who both preceded her to Heaven) at the Houston Negro Hospital in Houston, Texas. The family migrated to Los Angeles, California in 1946. It was there that Sharon deepened her Negro and Spiritual roots in the Methodist faith attending Sunday services with her parents. Sharon’s parents had two younger sons Alfred Leon Bailey Jr., (preceded her to Heaven) and Michael Sterling Bailey Sr., five and ten years later, respectively.

She graduated from Centennial High School 4th in her class. Sharon later gained a passion for the medical field. Shortly after graduation, an unfortunate turn in Sharon’s health, at the tender age of 19, would “Delay but Not Derail” her destiny to continue the Bailey legacy of Nursing.

Though Sharon’s illness confused her parents, a rare diagnosis in that time, later placed her dreams on hold. Sharon landed her first paying gig with Eldon Industries, Inc., a Toy Company in Hawthorne, California that later merged with Mattel Toy Company. Sharon became unemployed after only one year for standing up and speaking out against the inequality of unfair wages to the Negros employees at Eldon Industries, Inc.

Sharon’s second job was with Litton Industries as a Chemical Operator. She earned a scholarship with West Coast Trade to be an operator around the same time as the 1965 riots. Sharon experienced an episode of illness and was hospitalized. Later, she completed and submitted a scholarship application with Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) and competed to attend Harbor College Licensed Vocational Nursing Program. She won the scholarship on the eve of her release from the hospital and immediately continued her education, graduated with honors, and was conferred by the State of California as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Although Sharon continued to battle with health challenges throughout her formative years, she wouldn’t stop there.

Sharon went on to study Sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles. While there, she met Angela Davis at the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, which awakened her social consciousness. During Sharon’s pursuit of higher learning, she met and fell in love with Stephen Stanley Jones, who together they found common interest in the Black Panther Party. Later, Sharon and Stephen would be joined by their bouncing bundle of joy, Kashari Stephanie Jones.

At an early age, Sharon accepted Christ and was baptized at Ajalon Temple of Truth Baptist Church. She continued her spiritual growth and united with New Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church September 27, 1998, sitting under the pastoral headship of Rev. Dr. Lonnie Dawson until his transition. She continued to serve under the leadership of her current pastoral leader, Rev. Sonja R. Dawson. She also enjoyed noontime bible study with Sister Charlene Hamilton.

Sharon was blessed with her first nursing job with Broadway Hospital. In addition to working graveyard, Sharon was still able to serve as a parent teacher’s aide, chaperon and a forceful parent advocate at her daughter’s school. She later worked at Bon Aire Medical Offices and Dominquez Valley Hospital. After years of caring for the sick and afflicted, Sharon retired with nearly three decades of service.

Sharon is most noted for her immense love and support of her daughter and her witty gift of making people laugh. To know Sharon well, would be to either be on her good side or otherwise. She was a straight-talking woman giving pet names to those she came in contact with. Some most notable names are:
Quick Fingers (Veronica Zenon),
Tieeny Tiny (LaTonya “Tiny” Hall),
Heckle and Jeckle (Candy & Peeches),
Mighty Mouse (Rhetta),
Chimicunga (Nathaniel),
Big Butt (Brenda),
Drug Dealer (Felicia),
Broke foot (Dawnesha),
Tuna (Shauna),
Flat Back or Casaba Melon depending on her mood or the conversation (Kashari)

To really know Sharon, you would know the things she loved:
Color: Lavender & Purple
Song: Open My Heart - Yolanda Adams
TV Channels: BET, HBO
TV Judges: Judge Mathis
Games Shows: Family Feud
Hobbies: Avid Reader
Meal: Smothered chicken thighs, candied yams, cabbage/greens, dressing and
gravy, macaroni & cheese, Hawaiian rolls and punch
Dessert: Peach cobbler
Treats: Strawberry ice cream, Reese’s peanut butter cups, Oreo cookies with milk
Music: Rap & some gospel
Behaviors: Laughing, and joking she often referred to as “I’m Just Clowning”
Favorite Rap Artist: “Tupac”
Scripture: Isaiah 54:17 - No Weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper;
and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me,
saith the Lord.

She loved her family, most notably her baby brother Michael (Bolo), who she always talked about when remembering the “ole” days, and her daughter (Kashari) who she expressed fond thoughts of her accomplishments to whoever would listen, often to captive audiences.

Sharon never traveled the world, never registered for a passport; never boarded a plane, but she lived a rich, full satisfied life, right at home. She experienced deep emotional connections and unwavering love for her family. In her later days, she whispered to her daughter that she had no regrets, neither did she desire or expect any apologies. She enjoyed all that the Lord allowed her to experience while here on earth.

She leaves to cherish her memory: daughter Kashari Stephanie Jones; brother Michael Sterling Bailey Sr. (Olibra Jean); sister Juanita Bailey-Francis; nephews, Michael Sterling Bailey, Jr., Jeffrey Williams (Dawn), Jerrold Williams (Tawana), and Paul Jackson Sr.; nieces, LaToya Michelle Bailey, Tiffany Pitchford, La Tasha “Ebony” Bailey; great nieces, Jacquilla “Shay” Bailey, Briana Williams, Dominique Williams, Kristen Williams, Elyse Williams, Ashanique Moreen Stephanie “NeNe” Pitchford, Janiyua Pitchford, Deshanay Jackson; great nephew Paul Jackson Jr.; and a host of cousins, great-great nieces, many in-laws, and friends.