In loving memory of
Kay Francis Baily
September 8, 1948 - September 18, 2022
Hi, I promise I won't be long. But I do need a few moments to share my Life story. Many of you know me as Kay, but very few of you know Kay Francis Ray. I was born on September 8, 1948 to two affectionate parents, Hazel L. Ray and Will Marion Ray in sunny San Diego, CA.
As a child, my sister Wanda and I was raised in the church. I believe it was in 1952, when my family joined Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Charles H. Hampton. There at Bethel, I was a part of the youth choir, usher board, and attended Sunday School. When I was about thirteen years old, I accepted the Lord, Jesus Christ, as my personal Savior.
I attended Logan Elementary, Memorial Jr. High, and San Diego High School, in which I graduated as a child. After graduating and giving birth to my beautiful daughter, Claudette in 1967, I started cleaning houses while going to City College full time. You see, the girl had aspiration and determination.
Shortly after college, I enrolled in Patricia Stevens Modeling School, in which I loved. Being tall, thin, with brown coco butter skin, and an eye for fashion, this was home. Yes, it is true that I am bossy, opinionated, and meticulous. I must laugh, because I would never leave the house without my lil' sister. But I had to make her look as old as I was, because she was hanging with the "BIG girls".
Due to my strong work ethics, instilled in me by me parents, I have always had a job. I worked for SDG&E for over ten years. I married Louis Baily in 1984 and relocated to Los Angeles, CA. While living in Los Angeles I began working at my granddaughter's school as "Grandma Kay" the cook.
Now you know what they say, "ain't no place like home", so I transferred my job and moved back to San Diego where I could be close to my grandchildren. After returning to San Diego I began working for the Census Bureau. I later worked for Omega Learning Center for two years, Mitchell Medical Billing for three years, and returned to the Census Bureau for two more years before retiring.
Grandchildren are a definite blessing from God. I made sure that I attended every one of my great-grandson's football and basketball games.
With my big personality and people skills. I've always met new people everywhere I went. Like they say strangers are friends that you have yet to meet (most of the time).
With that being said, let me tell you what I am going to miss down here on earth. I am going to miss our family gatherings. I am going to miss me dancing to the oldies but goodies with the young 'ins. I am going to miss making all those sweet potato pies during the holidays for my family. I am going to miss my beautiful daughters Claudette Coleman and Selena Davis; my best friend, my sister Wanda Coleman; my heartbeat - my grandchildren Mercedes Jones, Rodney Jones, Jr., Kristara Coleman, Malachi Coley and Londyn Gatling; my double blessings from God in the form of great-grandchildren who beautifully call me G.G. - Rahkai Jones, Azaria Wallace and Aryion Dennis. My nephews whom I love as my own, Jimmy Coleman and Albert Williams, Jr; A special friend, Earl Mitchell; many great-nephews and great-nieces and a host of other family members that I love.
I will join in Heaven my grandparents, Joshua Banks and Claudia Moses-Banks, and Mary Taylor; my parents, Will Marion Ray and Hazel L. Harper; my lovely niece, La Tonia Coleman whom I was missing dearly.
"Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes". For the angels escorted me home on September 18, 2022.