Rest In Peace Louis... September 16th 1963 - May 23rd 2007

     Sadly the My Bath family has said goodbye to a friend and sometime associate of our company, Louis Ray Bailey Jr.  who was struck and killed in a traffic accident early morning the 23rd of May 2007.  Louis was known to many of the merchants in our area as the "flower man" as he happily pedaled the area on his bicycle selling the friendly floral  bouquets which he put together and designed himself in order to make his own way.  Michael Crutcher, whom I'd never have guessed to be a flower type almost always had one of Louis' creations in the office. 
    Louis Ray Jr. as his sister Tiffany refers to him is happy that he had found a family in the business owners and populace  of North Kansas City, Missouri. Though troubled as we all are by his passing.  There are few things which make the passing of a friend or loved one easy on anyone, though most of our community has rested easy picturing him smiling, riding his bicycle down the street on his way across the ASB bridge.  He had, for a very long time wanted to acquire a three wheel bicycle with a carriage on it.  And, it was this bicycle which he was struck and killed on. 
    The day previous to his passing i had circumvented him on the street on my way home from the office and as per usual he was grinning from ear to ear as he rode his favorite possession through his community.  Smile on Louis.  You're not forgotten, nor will you be; your memory is in fact growing.  One of the last plants purchased from you Louis, has recently began to flourish in our office.  We will tend it with care and preserve this piece of life you shared with us.  Rest in Peace and please once again... do not lose that ability to see the bright side in every situation, it is a comfort to think you may be somewhere still smiling.  Thank you for all you did for those of us in the North Kansas City community and for being a part of our lives.
    Louis is survived by an entire community of friends both north and south of the Missouri river in Kansas City which includes a bicycle shop, bicycle club, a grooming salon, a bath company- and all the persons therein.  But of course we were just a secondary family to him.  He is survived in blood relation by his grandmother Margaret Frasier 86 years of age, Peggy Goza 62 years of age, his daughter Rhiannon Embree 19 years of age whom he named after a Fleetwood Mac song, Kristie Wallace 38 years of age, Sister Tiffany Watkins 37 years of age, Sister Krystal Pitts 33 years of age as well as two nieces and four nephews. 
    Louis, i think it a great testament to one's character- especially a last testament -to have so many people speak highly of you, your work ethic, and your positive attitude in life who knew you for such a short period of time.  You are missed, you will be missed, and we will cultivate your memory in the community which you loved so much, and which loved you in turn.  Thank you for enriching our community Louis, we are forever indebted to you. 
                                                                                    Sincerely,
                                                                                    The My Bath Staff   

Comments

[tiffany watkins]

The stories that have been shared with us about Louis by the North Kansas City business community is a gift that my family will always hold close to their hearts. You all have enlightened us and taken a weight off our chests that has been there for some time. We take comfort in knowing what great people Louis had surrounded himself with in the last years of his short life. Thank you all again for the generosity and compassion that was bestowed upon my big brother.
Sincerely, Tiffany Watkins

[Erin]

That is a very heart warming story.
I truly believe that Louis is smiling down upon every one under him. I wish I could've seen the arrangements he had made. It always seems that everyone that tries to make a difference always does. Either by spirit, in person, or by a voice that is well remembered.

[Cy]

I am sorry for your loss! I'm sure god smiles upon the ones that left too soon. I understand your grief, I've lost people close to me as well. He will live on through your story of him. Keep telling it and his memory will last forever.