Carla Bailey

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE: “Philippians 4-13”

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Carla Louise Bailey was born Wednesday, April 13, 1960, in Columbus, Ohio, to John and Geraldine Williams. She was a member of Second Baptist Church, where she provided years of dedicated service in various capacities, including Praise and Worship Ministry, Mass Choir, and Anna Circle. Carla felt honored to become a Deaconess in January 2018. Carla was a motivational speaker, heart transplant survivor, breast cancer survivor, domestic abuse survivor, and a disability advocate.

Carla was employed at the Stefanie Spielman Breast Center. Her mission was to encourage patients and their families by way of prayer and inspiring words. Carla felt that was her ministry. She would say, “You don’t go through difficult times in your life and not feel, after that challenge, the responsibility to help someone else.”

Through divine inspiration from God, Carla created Special Ties, Inc., a non-profit organization. Its purpose was to guide families and caregivers of special needs children on how to best care for these children and how to access government benefits and other resources. Her commitment was to enhance the lives of other parents whose situations were similar to what she had experienced. Carla’s goal was to empower families to know . . .

“No matter what roadblocks are on their paths, they will have the strength to walk around each roadblock, by knowing that there is someone greater than them and her. They may not be able to change the challenge, but they can change the direction.”

Carla wrote several articles that were published in local and national magazines. She also made guest appearances on local and national TV talk shows. She was a spokesperson for the American Heart Association.

Carla was blessed to have received several awards and recognitions throughout the years. Her greatest award, however, was being blessed with a loving family.

Carla was preceded in death by the following relatives: maternal grandmother, Marie Poindexter; maternal grandfather, William Poindexter; father, John B. Williams; mother, Geraldine Williams; father-in-law, Joseph Bailey; mother-in-law, Wanda Bailey; aunts, Clara Williams, Thelma, Gloria, Ruth, Deloris, and Leatrice Poindexter; uncles, Robert Williams, LaVon, George, and William Poindexter; brother, John Williams; and sister-in-law, Terrie Williams.

She is survived by her husband, Retired Colonel Jonathon D. Bailey, Sr.; five children, Janitra, Tanisha (James), Amber, Jasmine, and Jonathon Jr.; goddaughter, Ebony “Redd” Hutchinson; grandchildren, Jaden, Layla, Janaya, and Josiah; god-grandchildren, Brianna and Braylen Hutchison. Carla was also blessed with her devoted twin sister, Carolyn (Stephen) Francis; sister, Cheryl (Dale) Patterson; brother, Ronald Williams; sisters-in-law, Linda (Allen) Mayle, Joy Crumpler, Jan Bailey, and Patricia Williams; brothers-in-law, Joseph Bailey, Biff Bailey, and Duff Bailey; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives, dear friends, and her entire church family.

Carla . . . Well Done