I met Carolyn Jo and mamma Pearl in the 40ies...we both joined Mrs. Lorenz dance classes, taking tap, ballet and acrobatics. 
We were friends and played together and our moms (Pearl and Annabelle) became good friends.  We lost touch when my family moved from Corpus to San Antonio but joined up again at Thomas Jefferson High School, in San Antonio.  She had become an entertainer by then.  We lost touch again. Now I  see what she went on to become.  She was an interesting and talented person so happy she realized herself.    Suzanne Poth,  California

When my sister and I were very young, Mama taught us how to kneel down at the end of our beds and say our prayers. I remember Melissa, my younger sister and I crying out to her not to leave that there were monsters under the bed. Mama taught us about our Guardian Angels and taught us the prayer, "Angel of God , our Guardian dear, to whom Gods love commits you here, ever this day be at my side , to light and to guard, to rule and to guide, Amen"
We would say that prayer and the monsters disappeared.

When CJ and I first met in the student center at Del Mar College at the beginning of the fall semester of 1987, both of us felt an instant connection, as if we had always known each other, even though we were total strangers. Despite random lapses in contact over the 30-plus years of our friendship, that connection only got stronger as the years went by. 
The cherished memories of our times together are far too numerous to relate here, but something that happened to us more than a few times over the years that always made us laugh at ourselves was a direct result of our crazy connection...
We would talk on the phone for hours, sharing life stories, solving world problems, discussing random absurdities, and being each other’s sounding boards - friend, sage, ear, shoulder, and heart - and we would both fall asleep while still on the phone! 
Carolyn Jo Bailey loved her girls fiercely and unconditionally. She was an amazing, strong, courageous, resilient, funny, kind, caring, loving, talented, beautiful soul, and I thank G*D for having blessed me with the gift of her friendship!

I never in my wildest dreams thought I would have a dear friendship with someone I have never met face to face.  But, that’s what CJ and I had for over 20 years.   We belonged to what would become known as a Friendship Circle.  We had ladies from all over the country.  And we would meet up on a conference call once a week.  It was really interesting to share each of our lives.   As with a lot of things we dwindled to just she and I.  We could tell each other anything 
without judgement.  If we could, we gave advice with love.  We would shared our our week.  Good or bad.   Prayed for each other and our children and grandchildren.   She loved hearing about my enjoyment of belonging to the Red Hat Society.  All the events I went to over the years and what we did at these events.  We would laugh and cry together.  I’m already feeling the void on Monday night.  We rarely missed our calls on that night.  I knew something was wrong after our last call on the 24th.  She was really tired.  That wasn’t our CJ.  We didn’t talk long.   I waited a couple of days and called back.  When I didn’t get her I knew she was gone.  We often shared our faith together.  I know she is dancing in Heaven now.  No more pain.  
I will cherish our friendship.  Thank you Annie for calling me.  Your Mom assured me if anything happened that you would call me.
We always ended our calls with “God Bless You”  “Love You”
“God Bless You CJ”  “I love you”  And we will meet up in Heaven for sure.
Your friend in California 
Hugs
Karen Chiara 

To put this in context, I've worked for the City's Solid Waste Department since 2005 and frequently handle customer issues and concerns.  I got to know CJ many years ago, and I remember our first meeting followed a call to collect a heavy box of glass she wanted to recycle, but wasn't able to carry it to the curb .  The next day I went by her house and picked up a box of glass that was behind her fence in the driveway.  She went out of her way to come outside and express her gratitude. I gave her my number and told her that she could contact me anytime she needed help from the City and I'd make sure that her request got through to the right person.  Not long after that, I got a call asking to pick up more recycling, but this time she had set up a little holiday buffet of cheeses and smoked meats along with some kind of spiced punch as I recall.   I was a little overwhelmed, actually a little uncomfortable accepting an invitation from someone I didn't really know,  but reading her sincerity, I stayed a few minutes for a cup of punch and conversation.  From our visit, and many telephone conversations over the past years, I knew her as someone not to complain, but to look for ways to fix things that needed fixing.  She was a sweet and kind person, and will be missed... 

The world will miss the loving , gifted human being that god created 
God bless her family 

CJ was down-to-earth and loved the Lord.  We meet her through our Church and were friends ever since.  I think about 3 years or so.  We learned stories about each other, laughed, cried, and prayed together.  We weren't  afraid to tell each other I love you and not beyond correcting each other.  She was excited to show us a dance step or two when we mentioned we had a 20's themed wedding to go to.  She said suck it in Richard and move like this.  She knew how to move and get you lined out.  When she danced you wouldnt remember her age, just a smooth moving friend with a smile and a big heart ready to help.  She loved our Son Max.  One time Max was overly nosey by wondering around the house a bit too far and when I went to correct him she said to Max let me show you around and so we all got to learn more than we thought we would because of that and just wound up having a closer relationship because of it.  Found out we knew some of the same people too.  Sam Neeley for one.  Both of us had signed autographs.  Hers records and mine CDs.  CJ was a real friend and will truly be missed until the day we meet again in Heaven.

I remember when we were young, my sister and I would “trade places” with Ann and Melissa for about a week. We would go to their house and they would come to ours. Aunt Carolyn was always so fun to be around. It was fun back then. I pray for peaceful rest for her, and healing comfort for her daughters, our cousins. ♥️

I met CJ about 3 years ago through our care center at Quiet Time Ministries. We would take  groceries to her once a month. Most importantly, we developed a relationship with her. Sometimes we we would spend hours just talking about anything. She gave us a quick dance lesson and we tried out the inversion table, which was a very comical experience. Also, I really admired how active she stayed. One saying I remember her telling us was "ASAP." She asked if I knew what that meant and I told her no. She said it meant, "Always Say A Prayer." That's an easy thing to remember, and it's so true that we should be praying every chance we get. I won't forget that.  She was faithful to the Lord. We will miss our visits with her, she made us feel like family. We were thankful to be her family in Christ.

 It was a blast I remember...When my sister, Melissa and I were very young, I remember walking hand in hand with our mother, her in the middle, us on each side of her. She used to get us singing and dancing on the sidewalk by skipping with us and we'd all sing, "We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz, because, because. because. because, because, because of the wonderful things he does!!"

OBITUARY

Carolyn Jo Bailey

30 September, 1939 – 26 May, 2021

Funeraria Del Angel

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