| Notes |
- Camel Funeral Home, Florida
Joan Bass
VIEWING: Friday, June 16, 2023 at 5:00pm - 7:00pm, located at St. John First Baptist Church, 600 SW 8th Street, Belle Glade, FL 33430
SERVICE: Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 11:00am, located at St. John First Baptist Church, 600 SW 8th Street, Belle Glade, FL 33430
INTERMENT: Saturday, June 17, 2023, located at Foreverglades Cemetery, 1500 Gator Blvd, Belle Glade, FL 33430
Biography
Mrs. Joan Powell Bass was born December 12, 1951, to the late Mattie and Nathan Powell in Pahokee, Florida.
Jody, as she was affectionately called by her close friends and family, matriculated through the Palm Beach County School system and graduated in the Class of 1969 from Lake Shore High School. And, as she often told it, she was a star baton twirling majorette of the Bobcats Marching Band. Joan subsequently attended Bennett College in South Carolina and later transferred to Florida Atlantic University (FAU) where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree. Almost 30 years later, she decided it was time to go back to school. In 2006, Joan earned her Master of Science degree in Reading
Education from Nova Southeastern University. In 1966, the late Rev. Percy Lee and Magalean Bass moved directly across the street from the Powell family. Little did Joan know that that family included the man who would become the love of her life, Frederick (aka Freddy). Freddy and Joan would ?court? the remainder of their time in high school and while attending college. They were united in holy matrimony in June 1971. While completing her degree requirements at FAU, Joan worked as an administrative assistant at US
Sugar. After earning her degree, she parlayed, in her own words, her ?excellent typing speed and organizational skills? to become a Business Education teacher. Joan taught Business Education, Accounting, and Reading at Pahokee Middle/Senior High School for over 20 years. A Junior and Senior
sponsor for various classes throughout the years, she encouraged hundreds of students to follow their dreams and pursue a higher education. After earning her Master?s degree, she taught Reading Education at Lake Shore Annex until her retirement in 2009. Joan accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age at St. John First Missionary Baptist Church. She was a faithful servant chairing numerous committees and worked tirelessly on almost every other church related activity. She especially enjoyed working with others to observe and honor her late uncle and aunt, Rev. J.B. and Willie Mae Adams. Joan?s servant heart expanded far beyond the walls of St. John. She was a member of the Elite Community Club and spent years rotating between her sponsorship of the Sub-Debutantes, Debutantes, and Escorts. A former Debutante herself, she wanted to continue the legacy and significance of the program for generations of African-American youth. It was Joan?s mission to ensure that fund raising
efforts supported scholarships, college tours, and end of year trips ? that for some would be their first trip with an overnight stay outside of Belle Glade, Pahokee or Clewiston. In the Fall of 1985, Joan was initiated into the Mu Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. A Silver Star, over the years Joan held many leadership positions within the chapter
including Grammateus, Hodegas, First Anti-Basileus, and Basileus. As would become her trademark, fundraising for scholarships was foundational to her work. On June 10, 2023, after a lengthy illness, the Lord called Joan home to receive her crown and rest. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mattie and Nathan, and sisters, Patricia Powell McClure and Mary Powell Brown.
Family was always first to Joan. She worked tirelessly to care for her family and was always there when they called. She leaves behind a legacy of love and loyalty. Joan?s life will always be remembered and cherished by a loving, attentive, and tirelessly devoted husband, Freddy; daughters LaTrenia Denise Bass of Saint Augustine, FL and Erica Lenise Bass of Belle Glade; bonus daughter Sharilyn (Ronald) Blanks of Clinton, MD; granddaughter, Devin Rae (Jamaal) Davis of Norfolk, VA; bonus granddaughters Myah Blanks and Ronia Blanks of Clinton, MD; great granddaughter and the one person who would always bring a smile to her face until the very end, Karter Leigh Davis; brother Alfonso (Virginia) Powell of Belle Glade; her nephew/?son?, Frank Lloyd Brown, Jr of Belle Glade; and a host of other nieces, nephews, and
cousins. A special acknowledgment to wonderfully supportive friends, Ralph & Theresa Townsend, Allie Van Biggs, Mildred Ross, Sarah Spencer, Willie & Nita Scott, Maceo & Betty Golson and the rest of the 11th Street Gang!
|
Bassett Family Association Database
