Doris J. Bailey-Reavis, Community Activist, Dies at 93

Doris J. Bailey-Reavis, 93, of Port Chester, NY, died on Friday, February 5, 2021 at Greenwich Hospital.

She was born May 16, 1927 to Robert and Alice Randall Jones in Port Chester.

As a teenager, Doris spent time at the Carver Center, where the great early NAACP leader Effie Gordon gave the neighborhood girls training in etiquette and ladylike deportment. That training stayed with her throughout her life.

She graduated from Port Chester High School and further completed her education out of state.

As a young woman, Doris went to work in Washington, D.C. After returning to Port Chester, she took a job with Southern Westchester BOCES, which she held until her retirement.

Doris became the president of the Port Chester/Rye Branch NAACP following the retirement of Walter McClain from that position. She served as president for eight years, after which she became the branch secretary up until recently. For the last two years, she served as the branch treasurer.

“But more than just the offices she held, Doris was a wise elder leader whose years of experience provided guidance to the younger leaders who followed in her steps,” wrote current Port Chester/Rye NAACP President Tom Kissner, in a message to members.

During her time as president, she lost her only child, Alethia Joy, to illness. “But she also remarried and gained a new husband and helpmate in John W. Reavis, Jr. Together, they formed a steady part of the core of the NAACP branch’s leadership,” said Kissner. John Reavis died in June 2020.

Among her services to Port Chester, Doris campaigned tirelessly for the hiring of more African American teachers in the schools; served on the committee that hammered out a master plan for the village, and was in the process of serving on the state-mandated committee to review police policies and procedures.

Throughout her lifetime, Bailey-Reavis was honored by numerous religious, civic, governmental, and other organizations. Just a few of the many awards she received were the Westchester County Legislature African American History Month honor; the Westchester Senior Citizens Hall of Fame; the Carver Center Black History Month honor, and continuous recognition from members of the Port Chester/Rye NAACP.

Mrs. Bailey-Reavis is survived by two sisters, Ada (Morris) Foster of Culpepper, VA, and Alice Henry of Yonkers, NY, and a host of nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her daughter, Alethia Joy, and brothers, Robert, Clifford, and Edward, Sr.

A private memorial service was held via Zoom on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at First Lutheran Church in Greenwich, CT.

Condolences may be sent to Andre F. Baker Funeral Home via their website at www.andrefbakerfuneralhome.com.