ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The Bailey family is honoring their daughter's legacy after she was ripped from their lives. For the first time ever, through the Tristyn Baliey Foundation, a golf tournament was held at the St. Johns Golf & Country Club. The event, along with a silent auction and banquet was for a good cause. Forest Bailey, Tristyn's father, said Monday's event was all about having fun because that is what his daughter would have wanted. Dozens showed up in solidarity and the attendance meant so much to the Bailey family.
"All these foursomes out here - we think Tristyn and her friends and making good times and memories," Forest said to First Coast News. "So, our focus is on that today."
To the Baliey Family, Monday's tournament is one of their many ways to say 'thank you' for all the times the public showed them support during what they described as their darkest times.
"We live in our grief every single day. You go to bed feeling it. You wake up feeling it," Stacy Bailey said, Tristyn's mother. "But when you have the community we have that gives the love and gives right back and tries to make sure the kids are taken care of, that gives us hope we can make the changes in this world."
Tristyn Bailey was murdered May 9, 2021. Her killer has since been sentenced life in prison. However, the family wants people to remember Bailey for being a bright light in people's lives. The family said Bailey was treasured in everyway. Britney Bailey-Russell, Tristyn's older sister, described their relationship as unique.
"I loved her [Tristyn] being by my side. Our relationship is every unique. Each one of my siblings have had a unique relationship with Tristyn, which is cool to see everybody sharing theirs," Bailey-Russell said.
On Sunday, the Bailey family held a gala and silent auction. Prizes included an autographed Jacksonville Jaguars helmet, a motorcycle and a fishing trip. Through the Tristyn Bailey Memorial Fund, they're honoring the 13-year-old's memory with their four pillars: Scholarship, Self-Defense, Social Media Awareness and Victim Advocacy.
After the golf tournament, a cornhole tournament commenced.