The New York State Senate

J668

Senate Resolution No. 668

BY: Senator MAYER

CELEBRATING the life and accomplishments of Doris
J. Bailey-Reavis, dedicated public servant,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of her
community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Doris J. Bailey-Reavis of Port Chester, New York died on
Friday, February 5, 2021, at the age of 93; and

WHEREAS, Doris J. Bailey-Reavis was born on May 16, 1927, to Robert
Jones in Port Chester; at an early age, she was exposed to social
justice issues by NAACP leaders such as Effie Gordon at the Carver
Center along with her friends; these teachings would serve as a guide in
her volunteer work and remain with her throughout her long and esteemed
life; and

WHEREAS, In June of 1945, Doris J. Bailey-Reavis graduated from Port
Chester High School and went on to attend Immanuel Lutheran College in
Greensboro, North Carolina, where she converted to the Lutheran faith;
and

WHEREAS, Doris J. Bailey-Reavis was a hard worker and held various
public service positions with the Department of Defense in Washington
D.C., the New York Department of Tax and Finance, the Port Chester
Public Schools, and Administrative Assistant to the Southern Westchester
BOCES Director of Human Resources, the position from which she
officially retired in 1990; and

WHEREAS, Doris J. Bailey-Reavis shared her considerable talents and
leadership skills with many worthy organizations and causes such as the
Port Chester Strategic Planning Committee, the Port Chester Carver
Center, the Immanuel Lutheran College Alumni Association, the John F.
Kennedy Magnet School, and the Port Chester/Rye NAACP where she served
as Secretary, Treasurer and President; and

WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her
community, Doris J. Bailey-Reavis was the recipient of numerous awards
and accolades such as the Council of Community Services of Port Chester
for the Extra Mile Award in May 2019 and the Westchester County
Legislature African American History Month Award; she was also selected
to the Westchester Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, named The Carver Center
Black History Month honoree, and was honored for her outstanding work
with the Port Chester/Rye NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Even though Doris J. Bailey-Reavis experienced great sorrow
with the death of her daughter, Alethia Joy, and her husband, John W.
Reavis, Jr., she truly lived a long and full life helping others; up
until her final days, she continued her life's mission of ensuring
social justice for all; shortly before her death, she submitted an

opinion newspaper column to the local Westmore News and spoke at the
monthly meeting of the Port Chester Rye NAACP; and

WHEREAS, A trailblazer and tireless supporter of the African
American community in Port Chester, Doris J. Bailey-Reavis will always
be remembered for her efforts in securing positions for African American
teachers in the schools, urging minority participation on the Port
Chester Complete Count Committee for the 2020 Census and serving on the
state-mandated committee to review police policies and procedures; and

WHEREAS, Through her many benevolent good deeds, this compassionate
and strong woman truly made the Village of Port Chester, the Town of Rye
and New York State as a whole, a more caring, just and equitable place
for its residents to live, work and play; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Doris J. Bailey-Reavis leaves behind a legacy which will
long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory
to all she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life and accomplishments of Doris J. Bailey-Reavis,
dedicated public servant, distinguished citizen and devoted member of
her community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Doris J. Bailey-Reavis.