Cecelia E. Bayless was born July 22, 1931 in Sandersville, Mississippi to Henry Williams and Beatrice Thigpen. She transitioned from this lifetime peacefully Sunday May 1, 2022. Cecelia was educated in the Jones County Public School System. She accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age and was a member of Second Baptist Church where she served as a faithful member of the choir for many years until her health declined.
On May 18, 1952 Cecelia married her husband Robert Bayless and relocated to Joliet, Illinois where she spent the remainder of her life. Cecelia was employed as a teacher’s aide at Eliza Kelly School for many years and retired from DeSoto Chemical in 1993.
Cecelia was a devoted wife to her husband for 16 years until his passing in 1968 and a loving mother to the three children created in their union, Robert Jr., Thomas, and Denise. As well as a grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend amongst her social groups. Cecelia was a member of the Assembly Social Club and Ladies Night Out bowling league for many years. She loved watching the Chicago Bulls games, playing Bid-Whist, Spades, find-a- word search, Solitaire, listening to blues music, shopping with her close friends and shopping on the shopping network channels, watching soap operas, and babysitting her” precious babies” (grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews) for many years.
Cecelia was preceded in death by her father and mother Henry and Beatrice Williams; husband Robert Bayless; and siblings: Catherine Jordan, Thomas Williams, Mack Williams, Henry Williams, Bruce Williams, Ezell Williams, and Son-In-Law Larry Hampton.
Cecelia leaves to cherish her memories: Children: Robert (Camellia) Bayless, Thomas Bayless, and Denise (Larry) Hampton; Grandchildren: Thomas Bayless Jr, Candis Hampton, Kalila (Ron) Stuart, Robert A. Bayless, Mack Bayless, Dwain (LaShone) House, and Kyla Hampton; Great Grandchildren: Caiya Hampton, Jordyn Stuart, Jayden Stuart, and Caidyn Cunningham; Siblings: Erma Jean (John) Beckley, Ruby Grier, Lola Brown, Susan Smith and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends. Special thanks to her caregiver, Lanita Thigpen.
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