Pastor, Rev. Robert Smith

Officiating Minister & Eulogist:  Rev. Troy Simmons

Interment following service in Rocky Mount Cemetery, Oakwood, TX


VISITATION:
Friday, June 9, 2017  10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Emanuel FH Chapel, 1721 W. Oak Street, Palestine, TX  75801

Final Arrangements by Emanuel Funeral Home - Palestine, 1721 W. Oak Street, Palestine, TX  75801
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A loving Mother and Grandmother, devoted not only to her own children; but many others.

Connie Mae Rauls-Bailey, a longtime resident of Freestone County, Texas, passed away peacefully on Saturday night, June 3rd, 2017 in her home in Fairfield, Texas surrounded by her devoted family.

Connie Mae Rauls affectionately known as "Mama Dear" was born on September 25th, 1925 , the 4th child of 4 children, to the late Roscoe Rauls, Sr. and Joan "Sissy" Davis-Rauls in the Rocky Mount Community in Oakwood, Texas. She possessed a strong sense of humor, was quite witty and a bit feisty along with a caring-nurturing spirit.  Mama Dear had a passion for flowers, hats, gospel music, puzzles and none other than playing dominoes; to beat her at it was a challenge.  Habitually always rising as early as 5:00 am to make angle drop biscuits, she could be heard singing "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot as she worked. Connie was also well known for her germen chocolate cakes, sweet potato pies and corn bread dressing.

At an early age, she accepted Christ and attended Pine Top Community and Shiloh Baptist Church with many of her ancestors.

Connie was educated in the Butler Community, Oakwood, Texas and went on to graduate from Greenbay High School in Tucker, Texas.  She furthered her education at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas.

Being dedicated and a hard worker, she initially became employed with Pleasant Hills Children's Home in Freestone County, Texas and then went on to become a Teaching Assistant with Butler ISD, Oakwood, Texas and Fairfield ISD, Fairfield, Texas.  Her last employment, before fully retiring was with Mexia State School as a Direct Support Professional.  Throughout the years she would also participate and volunteer at Adult Literacy Programs.

In 1944, Connie Mae Bailey would meet and marry Young "Top" Bailey, Jr. and to this union, 11 children were born. They resided and raised their children in the Butler Community.

In her home going, Connie is predeceased in death by her husband; Young, parents; Roscoe Rauls, Sr. and Joan "Sissy" Davis-Rauls, sons; Roscoe Meriton and Jerry Wayne Bailey, daughter; Debra S. Crayton, brothers; Roscoe Terry, Jr., Ulysses "T-Bo", and Jasper Wayne Rauls, paternal grandparents; Anderson Rauls and Laura "Sissie" Carter, maternal grandparents; Moses "Gill" Davis and Elizabeth Hegward/Solomon-Davis, grandson; Anthony Charles Miller, granddaughter Keneisha L. Bailey, great-grandson; Curtis "D.J" Bass and cousin/best friend; Etra Mae Carter-Simmons.

Connie leaves to cherish her memories, two sons, Thayer Delbert Bailey (Catherine),  Fresno, California, and Chester E. Bailey, Oakwood, Texas; six daughters,  Shirley J. Jones (Rozelle), Patricia A. Miller, Seattle, Washington, Joan E. Bailey, Fairfield, Texas, Beverly C. Bailey, Temple, Texas, Lucrettia Canady, Humble, Texas, Wendy D. Bailey, DeSoto, Texas, 1 sister in-law, Parthenia Rauls, Fairfield, Texas, 25 grand-children; 51 great grand-children, 18 great great grand-children, and numerous other relatives and friends.

"Gone from our touch, but never from our hearts"