Sharon Ann Bailey

Sharon Ann Bailey, 82, of Redlands, California, passed away on May 14, 2023. Sharon was born on July 7th, 1940, to Lavelle Donchig and Jack Pemberton in Southgate, CA. She attended Compton High School, where she met a boy named Clarence who took her to go see the movie "The Wind Jammer." They soon started dating and two years later, he was drafted. After a mature discussion about deciding to put their relationship on hold for two years while he was drafted, Clarence called her back one week later and asked her to marry him. On November 29, 1958, Sharon wed Clarence Bailey. Four days after their wedding, Clarence left for his deployment in Germany. A year and a half later he returned and they moved to the Inland Empire where they would spend over 50 years in Redlands. Sharon and Clarence went on to have three children, Jacqueline Beeler, Michael Bailey, and Susan Bailey. Sharon was predeceased by her son, Michael Bailey, her mother, father, and two brothers. She is survived by her sisters Ellen Koch, Paula Cousins, Kathy Grant, Joanie Pemberton, Bill Donching, and Jimmy Pemberton. She has five grandchildren, Kirsten Bailey, Brandyn Simmering, Gabrielle Beeler, Jack Beeler, and Joshua Simmering, and one great-grandson, Charlie Anthony Pacillo. Sharon's life was characterized by her love for dancing. She started dancing when she was 4 years old. As a teenager, she worked at the historic Clifton's Cafe in downtown Los Angeles. From a very young age, she would get on the “red car”, a trolley no longer in existence, from Compton to be taken into Los Angeles. This experience familiarized her with independence, the public transportation system and gave her a taste of what would eventually become her passion – dance. After Sharon graduated from high school, she became a member of the USO. She danced for the troops at various Southern California Air Force bases. Sharon’s first job was as a secretary at Doconnun Steel in Compton. After her first child was born, she settled into motherhood. She volunteered at the public elementary school where her children attended. She helped develop the first reading enrichment program at Mariposa elementary in Redlands. Sharon was a strong supporter of ballet. Her daughters attended ballet school in Redlands. Sharon helped start the ballet board for the Redlands Festival Ballet Company. In regards to her long life full of love and happiness, she once said, "we had all of it!" Sharon’s funeral will be held at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic church, 10816 South Mountain View Ave, Loma Linda and burial is at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA.

Sharon Ann Bailey

July 26, 1940 - May 14, 2023