Thoughts and prayers for a good family

I almost posted something about this a few days ago. For a number of reasons - not the least of which is that there haven't been very many details that have been released about this - I held off. But I feel strongly led to make a note of this right now and to ask my readers to keep this family in their thoughts because if there's any people who need to be held up in prayer right now, it's the Baileys.

I never personally knew Regan Bailey, but I grew up as neighbors of her grandparents, Warren and Ruth. They are members of the church that my Dad has been part of all his life. And I've known Regan's father Dan Bailey for a long time too. They are some of the finest people that you could ever have the pleasure of meeting. Just a wonderful family, through and through.

Last week, Regan Bailey's mother found her 26-year old daughter dead in their home in Greensboro. Regan's van was missing, but was later found by police.

The authorities are considering the case a homicide.

Regan Bailey's funeral was held yesterday.

Here is her obituary, which from what I understand was written by her sister...

GREENSBORO — Regan Mary-Angela Bailey, 26, of Greensboro, died Wednesday, January 16, 2008.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, January 21, at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 3506 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408, by The Reverend Michael Moulden. A committal service will follow in the St. Francis Memorial Gardens.

Regan's life was punctuated by her deep love for her family and friends. In the weeks preceding her untimely death, she enjoyed the Christmas holidays with family, spent the New Year in Florida with relatives, and went swing dancing with friends. In addition to her love of people, she shared a deep connection with animals, and was a caregiver to many stray animals lucky enough to cross her path.

Regan had a compassionate spirit and profound belief in God. She grew up a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church where she was a member of the choir and an acolyte. Most recently, she was a member of Lawndale Baptist Church where she was an active participant in services and numerous church activities.

She was born on August 23, 1981 in Moore County. A lifetime resident of North Carolina, Regan often traveled to other states and countries. Her recent travel experiences included trips to Greece and China with her mother.

Regan was both a teacher and a student. She was an honor-roll student at Page High School. After high school graduation, Regan chose to attend Meredith College, even with the offer of an academic scholarship to Mars Hill College. She graduated from Meredith in 2004. She then went on to volunteer to teach pre-school and elementary school students. She was working on a Masters Degree in Library Science through East Carolina University, and had logged many hours volunteering at the Greensboro libraries in connection with her degree.

A lifetime Girl Scouts member, Regan received her Gold Award after completing a significant project at Dolan Manor in Greensboro, N.C. She was a member of the Greensboro Youth Council and the National Conference, through which she participated in diversity initiatives.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Frank and Angelina LaMonica of Raritan, New Jersey, and her aunt, Mary Ann LaMonica Arch, of Hackettstown, New Jersey.

Regan is survived by her mother, Dr. Lois LaMonica Bailey, and her father, Daniel Kerr Bailey, both of Greensboro; her sister, Meredith Courtney Bailey of Washington, D.C.; and her paternal grandparents, Warren Harding and Ruth Butler Bailey of Reidsville, N.C.

She is also survived by her uncle, Frank LaMonica, of Palm Springs, Calif.; her uncle and aunt, Bill and Cathy Bailey, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; her cousins, Daniel and Lynne Arch, of Spokane, Wash., Michael and Valerie Arch, of Hackettstown, N.J., Katherine Arch-Douglas and Jason Douglas, of Boston, Mass., and Sarah Arch of Hackettstown, N.J., William Bailey, of Raleigh, N.C., and Michael Bailey, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; her great-uncle, Augustus Sena of Raritan, N.J.; and her great-uncle and aunt, William and Margaret Fulton, of Oveido, Fla.

The family will receive friends after the service at a location to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Dogs for the Deaf, 10175 Wheeler Road, Central Point, OR 97502.

Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm St. Chapel is assisting the Bailey family.

This is an absolutely devastating thing for any family to have to go through, and knowing the Baileys as I do... well, our entire community is definitely grieving with them. They could certainly use any prayers and encouragement that others could offer them right now.

If there is any further information about the case, I'll try my best to share it here.