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- The Roanoke Times, Virginia
January 5, 2001
John Edwin (Eddie) Bassett Jr.
Bassett, John Edwin Jr., (Eddie), 68, grandson of one of the founders of Bassett Furniture Industries, died Wednesday, January 3, 2001 at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville-Henry County. Eddie was a retired executive and former board member of Bassett Furniture. He retired from the company in 1997 after 42 years of service. Eddie will be remembered for his love and devotion to his family, his community, and for the many employees of Bassett Furniture with whom he had the privilege to work. He was born April 6, 1932 in Bassett, a son of the late John Edwin (Ed) Bassett, Sr. and the late Ruby Williams Bassett. He attended Woodberry Forest School and graduated from John D. Bassett High School in 1950 and from North Carolina State College in 1955 with a degree in furniture manufacturing and management. He joined Bassett Furniture Industries in 1955 as a management trainee. He moved his way up the ranks as assistant plant manager and later as plant manager of Bassett Furniture Company in 1962. One year later, he was elected as a director of the company. In 1987, he became general manager of J.D. Bassett plants one and two. Eddie was named vice president of quality in 1989. Eddie had the distinction of being the first Eagle Scout in Bassett and remained and avid supporter of the Boy Scouts throughout his life. He served on the board of directors for First National Bank of Bassett (later Dominion Bank), Princeton Homes in Danville, Virginia, Bassett Mirror Company in Bassett, Virginia, Bassett Volunteer Fire Department, Bassett Rescue Squad, Blue Ridge Hardware, H.W. Bassett Community Center, Bassett Public Library Association and Martinsville Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, he was chairman of the board of the newly organized Smith River Community Bank. Eddie was on the board of visitors for James Madison University. He was a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club, Bassett Country Club and Bassett Men's Athletic Association. At Bassett Memorial United Methodist Church, he was a trustee, chairman of the administrative board and chairman of the finance committee. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Frith Bassett. He is survived by his wife, Birdie Akers Bassett of the home; one son, John Edwin (Jeb) Bassett, III of Martinsville; two daughters, Sherry Bassett Brooks and Julia Bassett Livingston, both of Summerfield, North Carolina. He is also survived by a sister, Roxanne Bassett Miller of Bassett; and a brother, Charles Columbus Bassett of Martinsville. In addition, he is survived by two stepsons, Lewis Daniel Akers, Jr. of Asheville, North Carolina and David Edmond Akers of Richmond, Virginia; two stepdaughters, Kristen Akers Sager of Nashville, Tennessee and Julianne Akers Long of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Other survivors include three grandsons; three granddaughters; and six stepgrandchildren. The family will receive friends at the Bassett Memorial United Methodist Church Friday, January 5, 2001 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and other times at the family home on Columbus Drive in Bassett. Funeral services will be conducted from the church on Saturday, January 6, 2001 at 2 p.m. by the Reverend James Meredith and the Reverend James Gravely. Entombment will follow at the Bassett Family Mausoleum in Bassett. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts be made to Bassett Memorial United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 408, Bassett, Virginia 24055) or the Bassett Rescue Squad (P.O. Box 51, Bassett, Virginia 24055) Collins Funeral Services of Bassett is handling the arrangements.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1932 - 2001 (68 years)