MichelleAnn ROACH-BAILEY
My Mother Was A Fighter.
As long as I can remember she would face hardship as nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Whether it be the devastation of a hurricane or the woe of illness, she’d endure it with a grin.
She would let nothing stop her from doing what she loved.
If anyone was foolish to say otherwise, she’d give them that special look of hers that said “you couldn’t stop me anyway.”
While she liked to claim that she was a “quiet” and “reserved” person, she never backed down from speaking her mind. Just one look on any of her infamous Facebook posts proves that.
She may have liked the solitude of a good book, but she was at her best giving back to the community either through the church or her environmentalism.
She was a woman of unwavering dedication. Girl Guides was her North Star and teaching was her passion.
She was at her happiest near a campfire or guiding young lives to their future.
But above all else she loved her family and friends, especially her sisters and her Bailey Boys (me, Dad and Jovan)
I will always cherish the memories of the four of us playing boardgames or watching movies on the rock called Abaco. There may not have been much to do growing up, but we had each other and that was enough.
She was the kindest, most exuberant and radiant person I have ever known.
There aren’t words to describe what my mom meant to me. I will spend the rest of my life missing her. I’m not ready to say goodbye but the memory of her will keep me going strong.
She may have lost this battle, but heaven is a brighter place now that’s she’s found peace.
Love you mom, now and always.
Pavel Bailey
MichelleAnn BAILEY (NEE ROACH)
BORN: April 6, 1962
DIED: August 15, 2025
AGE: 63 years
SERVICE HELD AT:
Holy Cross Parish Church Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas
ON: Thursday, 28th August 2025 at 11:00 am
CELEBRANT
The Rt. Rev’d. Laish Zane Boyd, Sr. Bishop, Diocese of The Bahamas, & The Turks and Caicos Islands.
ASSISTED BY The Rev. Paulette Cartwright, Rector of St. John the Baptist Parish, South Abaco Other members of the Clergy
ORGANIST: Calvin Parker
MichelleAnn ROACH-BAILEY
Michelle Ann Bailey née Roach was born on April 6th, 1962, the second child of Canon Neil and Joan Roach both deceased. Michelle spent the first few years of her life in Fresh Creek, Andros and Arthur’s Town, Cat Island due to her father’s parish postings. The family returned to New Providence in 1965 and lived first on Eastville Street in the Kemp Road area then relocating to Davis Street in 1967 before finally settling down at Holy Cross Rectory from 1971 to 1992.
During her formative years Michelle attended Shirlea Preparatory from 1966 to 1967, Sayles Primary from 1967 to 1969, Oakes Field Primary from 1969 to 1972 and St John’s College on Market Street from 1972 to 1977. While at St John’s she met lifelong friends Anna Dean and Marjorie Jack, the trio was inseparable from that fateful day at lunch.
As Michelle took her first steps to adulthood, she attended St Elphin’s Boarding School in Matlock, England from 1977 to 1979 before matriculating to the University of the West Indies Mona Campus, Jamaica. It was during her time at St. Elphins that her love for marine biology was kindled through biology class trips to the seashore. At UWI she obtained her BSc degree in Marine Biology. She later obtained her teaching certification from the University of the Bahamas.
While roaming the Spine of Irvine Hall she met the love of her life Doctor Derrick Bailey, a romance that blossomed and endured for over 40 years. Although their engagement was less than typical, a simple phone call requesting a date and place to be married, their nuptials at Holy Cross Anglican Church on August 17, 1996 was a thing of beauty. Their happy union led to the birth of two sons, Pavel Bailey on September 29, 1997 and Jovan Bailey on April 9, 2002, a couple days later than Michelle would have wished for.
The couple spent the first five years of their married life at the family homestead on St Michael Road, Gleniston Gardens, before settling in Abaco where Derrick pursued his own veterinary practice. There the two built a home full of love, laughter and books which towered from floor to ceiling. Michelle was so proud of the accomplishments of her boys. She left no stone unturned to assist them in pursuing their life interests – for Pavel the written word and for Jovan the visual arts. No sacrifice was too great to aid them in achieving their academic goals.
Over the course of her 40-year teaching career Michelle taught general science, biology, chemistry and marine biology at four schools. These included CI Gibson High School from 1985 to 1997, DW Davis Secondary School from 1997 to 1999, The CV Bethel High School from 1999 to 2001 and again from 2019 to 2021 (as a result of being relocated to Nassau after Hurricane Dorian) and at the Patrick J Bethel High School (formerly Abaco Central High School) from 2001 to 2019 and 2021 to 2025. Her Facebook friends looked forward to her posts detailing the hilarious answers given by her students to verbal and written questions. She was a stern disciplinarian, but her students always knew that she had their best interests at heart. To this day there are strenuous arguments amongst her past students as to which school and year were her favorite class.
Michelle served as the Head of the Science Department/Subject Coordinator at Patrick J Bethel from 2008 to 2009, 2022 to 2023 and 2024 to 2025. She also proudly coached the CI Gibson female volleyball team from 1992 to 1997. To everyone’s surprise Michelle, she of the two left feet, also created an awardwinning cheer leading team while at CI Gibson.
Michelle was a fierce environmentalist even from a young age. As a teenager she banned the eating of turtle meat in the household long before it was made illegal, much to the chagrin of her father and the other three Roach girls.
As an adult Michelle frequently volunteered with BREEF, Friends of the Environment, the Bahamas National Trust and the Bahamas Humane Society. She consistently participated in coastal cleanups and environmental awareness campaigns alongside her students.
Michelle was a dedicated guide leader who spent over 40 years as a senior member of the Bahamas Girl Guides Association. At every church she attended or school she taught at she established or led a Brownie Pack, a Guide and a Ranger group. She was a constant presence at campsites both locally and internationally and helped coordinate local World Thinking Day activities annually. Michelle was the Guiding District Commissioner for Abaco and was heavily involved in Guiding at her school and St John the Baptist Anglican Church.
MichelleAnn
Michelle was a devout Christian and relied heavily on her faith as she battled numerous health issues with quiet strength and dignity over the years – hypertension, gall stones, diabetes, sleep apnea, pinched nerves, neurocardiogenic syncope, heart disease and finally stomach and liver cancer. Following a brief but valiant battle with cancer, she was diagnosed in June 2025, Michelle breathed her last on August 15, 2025 and joined her beloved parents in the tender embrace of her Lord.
Michelle is survived by: Husband: Dr. Derrick Bailey; Sons: Pavel and Jovan Bailey; Sisters: Melanie and Carol Roach, and the Rev’d. Marie (Theron) Roach-Hepburn; Adopted Siblings: Lernis Otis Brown, Dexter Fernander and Patricia Ingraham; Sister in Law: Grace Bailey; Brother in Law: Denzil Bailey; Nieces: RBPF Inspector Jewel Gray, Daniella Kissoon, Elvita Sonia Caprice, Shequellia Allen and Natasha Williams; Aunts: Sheila Wilson, Judith (Kenneth) Cumberbatch, Barbara Grosvenor, June Ballah and Gloria Yarrow; Uncles: Peter (Odette) and Charles Roach, and Wayne Wilson; Cousins: Sonia, Sophia, Henry, Glen Jr. (Cohen), Derek (Laurie), Andrew, Craig, Ryan, Rio and Dominic Wilson (Racquel), Lynette (Colin) Thompson, Charmaine (Donahue II) Sasso, Kenneth Wayne (Chenique) Cumberbatch, Valeria (Delano Jr.) Archer, Trevor (Sandrine) Cumberbatch, Barry (Laquel), Kirk and Alcott Jr. Wilson, Rhonda (Armin) Ospelt, Tanya (Andre) Foster, Nicole (Cipriani) Phillip, Kandice (Deangelo) Miller, Shakera, Dienne, D’Nae and Devon Wilson, Lisa, Cindy, Kerrigan (Carolyn), Sheldon (Tricia), Mark (Lisa), Simone, Denise and Wendell Roach, Shelley Grosvenor, MaryJo and Gareth (Stacy) Ballah, Lisette (Robert) Rice, Gisele McFarlane, Stephen and Marlon Brown, David, Arron and Sean Bacchus, Charlotte Yarrow; other family members: The Leona Hanna Family, the Grace Bullard Family, the Everette Butler Family, the Enoch Butler Family, Billy Godet and Family; Godmother: Rosemary Hanna; Godchildren: Felicia-Wrae Morgan, Evanna Dean, Rev. D’Vante Rolle, Sydney Charles, Rhyan and Rheyd Roberts, Lashannya and Lashawnya Forbes, Shaniaha Capron, Danika Nottage, Nathaniel and Ianna Stubbs and Ravyn Deveaux; Caregivers: Glendia Smith and Jessica Perpall; Friends: Majory Jack, Anna Dean, W. Louise Barry, Renee Pargo, Katie Minnis, Donna Grant-Morgan, Catherine Stubbs, Elizabeth Roberts-Ahwah, Nakita and Terza Bowe, Sue Fairclough, Sindy Lowe, Chamara Parotti, Kissie Gray-McDonald, Charma Johnson, Tacara Moxey, Alex Hall, Chrystal Johnson, Elma Garraway, Patrick (Eula) Edwards and sons, Brensil Rolle, Mrs. Diane Stewart, Dr. Julian Stewart, Reginald (Kamala) Saunders, WTAL Crew (Vanessa, Ginger, Juanita and Keva), Mr. and Mrs. Duke Smith, The Archer, Bartlett, Gray, and Turner families,Bishop Laish Boyd and Mrs. Joann Boyd, the Anglican clergy and their spouses, the Rectors, Vestry and people of the parishes of St. John the Baptist, Abaco, St. Jude and Church of the Good Shepherd,Grand Bahama, Holy Cross and St. Ambrose, Nassau, The Class of 1977 of St. Johns College, members of the Abaco Friends of the Environment, The Present and Past Principals, Administrators, Staff and Students of C.I. Gibson and CV Bethel Senior High and D.W. Davis Junior High Schools in Nassau and Patrick J. Bethel High School in Abaco, the Members of her beloved Bahamas Girl Guides Association, and others far too numerous to list by name. Special Thanks goes out to Doctors Duane Sands, Harold Munnings, and Duvaughn Curling, the staff of the Marsh Harbour Abaco Government Clinic and Doctors Hospital, The Cancer Society of the Bahamas and the Cancer Society of Abaco. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Bahamas Girl Guides Association and the Cancer Society of Abaco.
Order of Service
RECEPTION OF THE BODY
Celebrant: With faith in Jesus Christ, we receive the body of our sister MICHELLE for burial. Our sister was washed in Holy Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit. Let us therefore, with confidence, pray to God our Heavenly Father, the Giver of Life, that He will raise her to perfection in the company of the saints.
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray:
O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our sister MICHELLE. We thank you for giving her to us, her family and friends, to know and love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES
Jesus said, I am the Resurrection, and I am the life; he who believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. John 11:25-26
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His compassion never fails: every morning they are renewed. Lamentations 3:22-23
Jesus said, Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1
I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be the Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14:8-9
We brought nothing into the world, and we take nothing out. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away: Blessed be the Name of the Lord. Job 1:21
The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27
TRIBUTES
W. Louise Barry (Friend, Colleague, Bahamas Girl Guide Association)
Lynette Thompson (Cousin)
Dexter Fernander (Family Friend)
INTROIT HYMN | “How Bright These Glorious Spirits Shine”
How bright these glorious spirits shine! Whence all their white array? How came they to the blissful seats Of everlasting day?
Hunger and thirst are felt no more, Nor suns with scorching ray; God is their Sun, whose cheering beams Diffuse eternal day.
The Lamb, Which dwells amidst the throne Shall over them still preside, Feed them with nourishment divine, And all their footsteps guide.
Lo! these are they from sufferings great Who came to realms of light; And in the blood of Christ have washed Those robes which shine so bright.
Now with triumphal palms they stand Before the throne on high, And serve the God they love amidst The glories of the sky.
Midst pastures green He’ll lead His flock Where living streams appear; And God the Lord from every eye Shall wipe off every tear.
To Father, Son and Holy Ghost, The God Whom we adore, Be glory, as it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
COLLECT FOR PURITY
All: Almighty God, to You all hearts are open, all desires known, and from You no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You, and worthily magnify Your Holy Name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray:
THE COLLECT FOR THE DEPARTED
Almighty God, we remember before You today Your servant MICHELLE and we pray that, having opened to her the gates of larger life, You will receive her more and more into Your joyful service, that, with all who have served You in the past, she may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON | Wisdom 3:1-9 | Read by: Carol Roach (Sister)
“But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of Himself; like gold in the furnace He tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering He accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them forever. Those who trust in Him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with Him in love, because grace and mercy are upon His holy ones, and He watches over his elect.”
Reader: This is the Word of The Lord.
All: Thanks be to God
PSALM 23 | Sung by the Choir of St. Ambrose
HYMN | “Pleasant Are Thy Courts Above”
Pleasant are Thy courts above, In the land of light and love; Pleasant are Thy courts below In this land of sin and woe; O, my spirit longs and faints For the converse of Thy saints, For the brightness of Thy face, For Thy fullness, God of grace.
Happy souls, their praises flow Even in this vale of woe; Waters in the desert rise, Manna feeds them from the skies; On they go from strength to strength, Till they reach Thy throne at length, At Thy feet adoring fall, Who hast led them safe through all.
Happy birds that sing and fly Round Thy altars, O most High; Happier souls that find a rest In a heavenly Father’s breast; Like the wandering dove that found No repose on earth around, They can to their ark repair, And enjoy it ever there.
Lord, be mine this prize to win, Guide me through a world of sin, Keep me by Thy saving grace, Give me at Thy side a place; Sun and shield alike Thou art, Guide and guard my erring heart. Grace and glory flow from Thee; Shower, O shower them, Lord, on me.
THE EPISTLE | 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 | Read by: Jewel Gray (Niece)
A reading from the Word of God written in First Corinthians Chapter 15 Verses 50 through 58:
What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Reader: This is the Word of The Lord.
All: Thanks be to God
GRADUAL HYMN | “Hark My Soul Angelic Songs are Swelling”
Hark! hark, my soul! angelic songs are swelling, O’er earth’s green fields and ocean’s wave-beat shore: How sweet the truth those blessèd strains are telling Of that new life when sin shall be no more.
Refrain Angels of Jesus, angels of light, Singing to welcome the pilgrims of the night!
Onward we go, for still we hear them singing, “Come, weary souls, for Jesus bids you come”; And through the dark, its echoes sweetly ringing, The music of the Gospel leads us home.
Refrain
Far, far away, like bells at evening pealing, The voice of Jesus sounds o’er land and sea; And laden souls, by thousands meekly stealing, Kind Shepherd, turn their weary steps to Thee.
Refrain
Rest comes at length: though life be long and dreary, The day must dawn, and darksome night be past; Faith’s journeys end in welcome to the weary, And Heav’n, the heart’s true home, will come at last.
Refrain
Cheer up, my soul! faith’s moonbeams softly glisten Upon the breast of life’s most troubled sea, And it will cheer thy drooping heart to listen To those brave songs which angels mean for thee.
Refrain
Angels, sing on, your faithful watches keeping; Sing us sweet fragments of the songs above, Till morning’s joy shall end the night of weeping, And life’s long shadows break in cloudless love.
Refrain
THE GOSPEL | John 5:24-27
Gospellor: The Lord be with you
All: And also with you
Gospellor: A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John, Chapter 5 Verses 24 through 27
All: Glory to Christ our Saviour
“Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give You whatever You ask of Him.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God, the One coming into the world.”
Gospellor: This is the Gospel of Christ
All: Praise to Christ our Lord
SERMON | Rev. Paulette Cartwright (Rector, St. John the Baptist Parish, South Abaco)
THE CREED
Celebrant: Let us with confidence and hope confess the faith into which we were baptized, as we say,
All: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
INTERCESSIONS | Anna Dean and Marjorie Jack (Friends)
Leader: For our sister MICHELLE let us pray to the Lord Christ who said, “I am the Resurrection and I am Life.”
Leader: Lord, You consoled Martha and Mary in their distress: Draw near to us who mourn for MICHELLE and dry the tears of those who weep.
All: Hear us, Lord.
Leader: You wept at the grave of Lazarus, Your friend, comfort us in our sorrow.
All: Hear us, Lord.
Leader: You raised the dead to life: Raise our sister to eternal life.
All: Hear us, Lord.
Leader: You promised paradise to the thief who repented: Bring our sister to the joys of heaven. All: Hear us, Lord.
Leader: Our sister was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit: Give her fellowship with all Your Saints.
All: Hear us, Lord.
Leader: She was nourished with Your Body and Blood: Grant her a place at the table in Your heavenly kingdom.
All: Hear us, Lord.
Leader: Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our sister. Let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.
All: Hear us, Lord.
Celebrant: Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to you our sister MICHELLE who was reborn by water and the Spirit in Holy Baptism. Grant that her death may recall to us Your victory over death and be an occasion for us to renew our trust in Your Father’s love. Give us, we pray, the faith to follow where You have led the way; and where You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to the ages of ages. Amen.
ACT OF PENITENCE:
Celebrant: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Let us therefore confess our sins.
ALL: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we have sinned against You and one another, in thought, word and deed, and in what we have left undone. We are sorry and repent of all our sins. For Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may serve You in newness of life to the glory of Your Name. Amen.
THE ABSOLUTION:
Celebrant: Almighty God, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
THE GREETING OF PEACE
FIRST OFFERTORY HYMN | “Thy Way Not Mine O Lord”
Thy way, not mine, O Lord, However dark it be; Lead me by Thine own hand, Choose out the path for me.
I dare not choose my lot; I would not, if I might; Choose Thou for me, my God, So shall I walk aright.
The kingdom that I seek Is Thine: so let the way That leads to it be Thine, Else I must surely stray.
Smooth let it be or rough, It will be still the best; Winding or straight, it leads Right onward to Thy rest.
Take Thou my cup, and it With joy or sorrow fill, As best to Thee may seem; Choose Thou my good and ill.
Choose Thou for me my friends, My sickness or my health; Choose Thou my cares for me My poverty or wealth.
Not mine, not mine the choice In things or great or small; Be Thou my Guide, my Strength My Wisdom, and my All.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE OFFERING
ELEMENT BEARERS
Talia Watkins (Brownie, 76th Nassau Pack)
Alyssa Evans (2nd Abaco Ranger Guide, St. John the Baptist, Abaco)
Chanese Jean-Pierre (1st Abaco Ranger Guide Leader, Patrick J. Bethel Hich School, Abaco)
CENSING HYMN
|“O Jesus I have Promised”
O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end; Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend; I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side, Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.
O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near; I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear; My foes are ever near me, around me and within; But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still, Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will.
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control; O speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be. And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.
O let me see Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own; My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.
O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end; And then in Heaven receive me, my Savior and my Friend
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father Almighty, Everlasting God;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; Who rose victorious from the dead, and comforts us with the blessed hope of life eternal. For to Your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended: and when our mortal body lies in death, there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens.
Therefore we praise You, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of Your Name.
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might; Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Concelebrant: Sovereign Lord and Father, to You be glory and praise for ever. In Your boundless wisdom You brought creation into being; in Your great love You fashioned us in Your image; in Your tender compassion You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour, to share our human nature; in the power of the Holy Spirit, He overcame the power of sin and death and brought Your people to new birth as first fruits of Your new creation.
On the night He was betrayed, He took bread, and when He had given thanks to You, He broke it and gave it to His disciples and said: “Take this and eat it: This is My Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of Me.”
After supper He took the cup of wine: and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is My Blood of the New Covenant which is shed for you, and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of Me.”
Concelebrant: Therefore, Father, according to the command of Your dearly beloved Son.
All: We remember His death
We proclaim His resurrection We await His coming in glory.
Concelebrant: And we offer You, Father, our sacrifice of thanks and praise. Send Your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and wine that they may become the Body and Blood of Your Son, Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer. As we partake of this holy food of new and unending life, may Your Holy Spirit establish us a royal priesthood with the Blessed Virgin Mary, John the Baptist and all Your sons and daughters who share in Your eternal inheritance; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. With Him and in Him and through Him, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship You, Father Almighty, with all who stand before You in earth and heaven, in songs of everlasting praise:
All: Blessing and honour and glory and power be Yours forever and ever. Amen.
Celebrant: As our Saviour has taught us so we pray:
All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name; Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours now and forever. Amen
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
Celebrant: We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
All: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
THE INVITATION
Celebrant: My brothers and sisters in Christ, draw near and receive His Body which He gave for you, and His Blood, which He shed for you. Remember that He died for you, and feed on Him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
All: Grant us gracious Lord, that we may so eat the flesh of Your Dear Son, Jesus Christ, and drink His Blood, that we may ever more dwell in Him and He in us. Amen.
THE AGNUS DEI:
All: Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant her rest. Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant her rest. Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant her rest eternal.
COMMUNION HYMNS
HYMN | “Jerusalem The Golden”
Jerusalem the golden, with milk and honey blest, Beneath thy contemplation sink heart and voice oppressed. I know not, O I know not, what joys await us there, What radiancy of glory, what bliss beyond compare.
They stand, those halls of Zion, all jubilant with song, And bright with many an angel, and all the martyr throng; The Prince is ever in them, the daylight is serene. The pastures of the blessèd are decked in glorious sheen.
There is the throne of David, and there, from care released, The shout of them that triumph, the song of them that feast; And they, who with their Leader, have conquered in the fight, Forever and forever are clad in robes of white.
O sweet and blessèd country, the home of God’s elect! O sweet and blessèd country, that eager hearts expect! Jesus, in mercy bring us to that dear land of rest, Who art, with God the Father, and Spirit, ever blessed.
HYMN | “And Now, O Father Mindful of The Love”
And now, O Father, mindful of the love That bought us, once for all, on Calvary’s tree, And having with us Him that pleads above, We here present, we here spread forth to Thee, That only offering perfect in Thine eyes, The one true, pure, immortal sacrifice.
Look, Father, look on His anointed face, And only look on us as found in Him; Look not on our misusings of Thy grace, Our prayer so languid, and our faith so dim; For lo! between our sins and their reward, We set the passion of Thy Son our Lord.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!
And then for those, our dearest and our best, By this prevailing presence we appeal; O fold them closer to Thy mercy’s breast! O do Thine utmost for their souls’ true weal! From tainting mischief keep them white and clear, And crown Thy gifts with strength to persevere.
And so we come; O draw us to Thy feet, Most patient Savior, who canst love us still! And by this food, so awful and so sweet, Deliver us from every touch of ill:
In Thine own service make us glad and free, And grant us nevermore to part with Thee.
HYMN | “Amazing Grace”
Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.
SELECTION | St. Ambrose Choir
POST COMMUNION
All: Almighty God, we thank You that in Your great love You have fed us with the spiritual food and drink of the Body and Blood of Your Son Jesus Christ, and have given us a foretaste of Your heavenly banquet. Grant that this Sacrament may be to us a comfort in affliction, and a pledge of our inheritance in that kingdom where there is no death, neither sorrow nor crying, but the fullness of joy with all Your saints, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
POST COMMUNION HYMN | “Through All The Changing Scenes of Life”
Through all the changing scenes of life, In trouble and in joy, The praises of my God shall still My heart and tongue employ.
O magnify the Lord with me, With me exalt His Name; When in distress to Him I called, He to my rescue came.
The hosts of God encamp around The dwellings of the just; Deliverance He affords to all Who on His succor trust.
O make but trial of His love; Experience will decide How blest are they, and only they, Who in His truth confide.
Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then Have nothing else to fear; Make you His service your delight; Your wants shall be His care.
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
The God whom we adore Be glory, as it was, is now And shall be evermore.
THE COMMENDATION:
Celebrant: Give rest, O Christ, to Your servant with Your saints.
All: Where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
President: You only are immortal, the Creator and Maker of mankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return. For so did You ordain when You created me, saying, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” All of us go down to the dust: yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
All: Give rest, O Christ, to Your servant with Your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Celebrant: Let us commend our sister MICHELLE to the mercy of God our Maker and Redeemer. Deliver Your servant MICHELLE, O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all evil, and set her free from every bond, that she may rest with all Your Saints in the eternal habitations; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Celebrant: Lord have Mercy.
All: Christ have Mercy.
Celebrant: Lord have Mercy.
Celebrant: Our Father in heaven
All: Hallowed be Your Name; Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours now and forever.
All: Amen.
Celebrant: Let us pray:
Into Your hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend Your servant MICHELLE. Acknowledge, we humbly ask you, a sheep of Your own fold, a lamb of Your own flock, a sinner of Your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of Your mercy, into the blessed rest of eternal peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light where to live and reign with you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in glory everlasting.
Celebrant: Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord.
All: And let light perpetual shine upon her.
Celebrant: May she rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Celebrant: May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
All: Amen.
RECESSIONAL HYMN | “The Strife is O’er”
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The strife is o’er, the battle done; Now is the Victor’s triumph won; O let the song of praise be sung. Alleluia!
Death’s mightiest powers have done their worst; And Jesus hath His foes dispersed; Let shouts of praise and joy outburst: Alleluia!
On the third morn He rose again Glorious in majesty to reign; O let us swell the joyful strain. Alleluia!
Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee, From death’s dread sting Thy servants free, That we may live, and sing to Thee: Alleluia!
Mitchy
Michelleeny were my names for sister number 2. Like sisters 1 and 3, she occasionally thought she was the boss of me. On those occasions (and others) I would start my response with “apparently”, that drove her crazy, but we would laugh after. Michelle was loyal to my cause, I suppose it’s because we shared a room growing up. I called her Hurricane Michelle, because when she was at the homestead her Guiding and GGYA “stuff” was everywhere. She was an “internal refugee” (her term) in Nassau, after Hurricane Dorian severely damaged her Abaco home, and she subsequently sheltered with me through COVID19. We became office mates, you can imagine how many times I had to call human resources (sister No. 1 Melanie) especially after she stole my little red desk. But it was then that I saw her love and care for her students and her Girl Guides and Rangers: planning labs that the kids could perform with household goods; having troupe meetings with singing and activities. Michelle lived a purposeful life, many times as her Uber driver, we would meet persons she impacted and they spoke to her wild methods and how at the end of the day it made a positive difference to their lives. We were 4 and will always be 4. Sleep on number 2, we’ll leave a space for you when we line up to take pictures.
Love, your baby sister Carol
Michelle Ann Bailey,
As your personal nuisance and source of entertainment, I’m finding it incredibly difficult to envision a future without our “warped” dynamic. For as long as I can remember, you were committed to pestering me. I’ll give you some credit for the sassy demeanor I have today, for your quick-witted nature demanded to be challenged. After years of harassment (and coming of age to not get wacked), I finally got my payback by revoking your “aunt” title and calling you by your full name each time I saw you. To add salt to the wound, I emphasized calling your sisters by their appropriate titles- Aunt Mel, Aunt Carol and Aunt Marie.
Then there was you, Michelle Bailey. In one of our last conversations, you declared, “I want to live.” That you did - with fierce passion, humor, determination, and most of all, love. You genuinely cared about the wellbeing of others and lived a life of service to your community. I will miss telling you about my adventures and seeing you smile in amusement (often disbelief). I will miss brushing your hair and applying your makeup just to take a picture with me. Most of all, I will miss our talks about any and everything. You have cemented your place in my memory and in my heart, and I look forward to our next guttural laugh together.
Your pest in love, Ashley
Michelle was one of 4 sisters whom I was proud to call ‘my Bahamian cousins’. We were in daily communication on our family What’s app chat. And although we were oceans apart, I will always remember her sharp comments and her great sense of humor. I am truly saddened by her passing but grateful for those beautiful years of contact. May God grant eternal rest to Michelle and peace to all her loved ones in the Bahamas and around the world.
Sharing condolences as well on behalf of my mother, Grace Roach and other members of her Trini Roach family who may not be on this medium.
Lisa James
A SISTER’SLove
BAILEY
MichelleAnn
To MyFriend&Sister
Michelle and I met in 1984 when I was 11 and she was 22. I was part of the first (and FAVORITE) cohort of students whom she taught upon graduating from university.
Over the past forty years, she has played many different roles in my life: teacher, coach, chaperone, friend, sister in Guiding/Scouting and ultimately, family.
I am ever grateful that she was to me, such a wonderful friend, an encouraging cheerleader, a constant sounding board, giver of sage advice, someone whom I talked to about EVERYTHING-even the things that most people don’t say out loud.
Thank you, my dear friend, for sharing your passions with me, for being totally transparent, for allowing our friendship to be a no-judgement zone, for being someone with whom I shared gut-busting, boisterous and irreverent laughter!! Thank you for loving me for me.
It seems wholly apropos that I write this tribute from my home library, with rain falling on my rooftop in torrents, much like the tears your transition has brought. Up until just before your illness took a downward turn, you were still determined to come for a two-week visit in July or August. You always spoke about sprawling out and reading as many books as you could in this space, eating Thai food, and experiencing the door-to-door service Uber Eats.
For sure, I will think of you every time I sit in this space, but then again, I think of you in all the spaces, all the time.
I will miss you terribly, my friend, but I’ll hold on to the indelible memories we have made over a lifetime.
I will love you always in death as I did in life.
~The Usual Suspect, Your friend and sister, Renée Pargo
MichelleAnnBAILEY
Tribute to Mrs.Michelle ROACH BAILEY
By Marjorie Jack
Don’t know why we stuck out the years – Michelle, the brilliant intellectual, Anna, the soft spoken voice of reason and yours truly, the cautious one, who didn’t ruffle feathers.
I wish we had more time on earth together but the time we did have was full and eventful. I wish we got to take our cruise together but it was fun trying to plan it, right! You made our times special, Michelle, insisting we took a selfie each time we spent together no matter who didn’t think they looked their best, it was not your problem. We not only solved our problems but the world’s problems with our marathon sessions. There was not a topic we didn’t cover in these last 50+ years of friendship and sisterhood and like everyone who knows you know that our “situations” were your “situations” and thus you had an opinion – solicited or otherwise – that you expressed either verbally or by facial and body expression that spoke even louder.
As we gather to celebrate your life, I recognize that you had the brilliance to be ANYTHING you wanted to be in this world. You choose the roles of teacher, wife, mother and friend among others and with those roles you gave your whole self to this world and left us all in a better place. I wish you could hear the accolades being given to you today but I believe that Anna, you and I, got to tell you all this during our final visits in hospital, when in our final moments together, we were “the three musketeers” - “the three amigos”.
I prefer to remember us as Michaela Whylly dubbed us “amo, amas, amat” for in our final visit the day before you went to your rest, we summed up our time together simply by each saying, verbally and audibly, “ I LOVE YOU”.
Michelle Roach Bailey played many roles including Daughter, Sister, Niece, Wife, Mother, Friend, Teacher, Mentor, Coach, Guide, Guider, Commissioner, Trainer. We connected through Guiding, mainly in shared roles as Committee members, Commissioners and part of the Training Team. We were both April born, and although I am not a teacher, we were both science majors. But Guiding was the glue; it was such an intricate part of her life.
Her life reflected the Guiding Principles. She lived her promise to do her best daily whether with her personal and corporate faith; her service to country and others through her teaching career, through volunteering with environmental groups, GGYA and especially with Guides and Rangers through the years; and in keeping the Guide Law.
Michelle was loyal, trustworthy, helpful, friendly, considerate. Above all she drew on the 7th Guide Law : A guide is courageous and cheerful in all difficulties. She cared about the environment and respected all living things. Michelle was an advocate for young people especially for girls and young women. She had strong opinions, and she surely shared them. Michelle shared her talents, knowledge and creativity. Michelle was a joy to be around – her laugh and her smile lit up a room, and oh, that mischievous twinkle in her eyes... I’m going to miss that.
Thank you, Michelle, for all you’ve done for and through Guiding. I rephase a few lines of the Scout vesper that we sing at the close of campfire:
You have kept your honour bright; You can guiltless sleep tonight, You have done and you have dared Everything, to be prepared.
Day is Done
Rest in peace my sister.
MichelleAnnBAILEY
Message of Gratitude
We, the family of the late Michelle Ann Bailey, would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all of those who provided our family with support, prayers, comfort, or assistance in many other ways in our time of sorrow. Today, the prayers and the presence of those who travelled from near or far, are greatly appreciated and has helped to strengthen us during this challenging period.
Such sincere deeds during this time has encouraged us and through God’s help, our sorrow is easier to bear.
May the Lord richly bless all of you.
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Dr. Derrick Bailey
Denzil Bailey
Reginald Saunders
Philip Gray
Julian Stewart
Gareth Ballah
Dominic Wilson
Patrick Edwards
PALLBEARERS
Pavel Bailey
Jovan Bailey
Kenneth Wayne Cumberbatch
Trevor Cumberbatch
Sashuan Armbrister
Dominic Thompson
Lernis Otis Brown
Dexter Fernander
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