Deborah Eura Lewis Bailey

Deborah Eura Lewis was born May 18, 1955 in Philadelphia, PA. Deborah’s suffering ended and she entered a peaceful rest on the morning of September 15, 2014 in her home. She is the third of five children born to William Wilson Lewis Jr. and Rosaline Brown Lewis. Deborah and her siblings were later raised in Hesperia, CA with her father and step-mother, Annette Lewis Gordon. Deborah was married to Frederick H. Bailey. She had two daughters, Amber L. Bailey and Annette T. Bailey. She later had a son, Cassie E. Whitworth-Bailey, son of Cassie E. Whitworth. Deborah was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick and father, William.

Deborah graduated from Apple Valley High School, class of 1973. She was honored with being the first African-American cheerleader for Apple Valley High School. She continued her education by attending Victor Valley Junior College for Business Education, and later received a Transportation Certificate from Foothill College in 1983.

Deborah spent 36 years in the transportation industry. She was most proud of 21 consecutive years with Con-Way Freight Systems, Kearny Mesa Branch. Her Con-Way family expressed continued support of her when she fell ill and left the company, and throughout her entire 5 ½ year battle with leukemia.

Deborah was a devoted mother, daughter, sister and friend. Her greatest joy was the love she had for her children. She was a spirited woman with an infectious joy that she shared everywhere she went. She displayed a love for life even while she battled for her very own. To know her is to love her. Deborah asked that her passing be a celebration of happiness, music, dance and comedy to truly reflect how she lived.

Deborah respected all faiths, and came to study her Bible passionately in pursuit of a one on one relationship with Jehovah God. Deborah was overjoyed to receive baptism with Pastor Kenneth Washington during her final visit to Ohio. We have faith we will awake to see her again.

She leaves to cherish her memory: mother, Rosaline Brown Lewis of Santa Clara, CA; step-mother, Annette Lewis Gordon of Richmond, VA; daughter, Amber L. Bailey (Ronald Washington Sr.) of Houston, TX; daughter, Annette T. Bailey of Canton, OH; son, Cassie E. Whitworth-Bailey of Escondido, CA; granddaughter, Annika Eura-Elizabeth Bailey; grandsons, Ronald C. Washington Jr. and Antonio Arce; brother, William Lewis III of France; brother, Felix Lewis of Murrieta, CA; sister, Dannette Lewis of Santa Clara, CA; brother Ross Lewis of Escondido, CA; sister-in-law, Deborah Hawkins of Canton, OH; brother-in-law, Rodney Bailey of Victorville, CA and sister-in-law Kimberly Bailey of San Diego, CA; a host of nieces and nephews (all of whom were as precious to her as her own children); cousins; extended family; life-long friends and Con-Way.