| Notes |
Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc.
Bennie Ray Bass
August 30, 1942 - February 28, 2015
Bennie Ray Bass was born August 30, 1942 on a hot summer day which suited him well since he loved the summer time and hot weather. He spent his early childhood in Robeson County with his older brother Bernard and parents, Brady and Esther Bass. While their parents farmed, the young Bennie Ray and Bernard stayed with their Grandma Lee and Aunt Macy. They entertained themselves in their grandma's garden and in ditches and by stuffing their overalls with sand. The family moved to Bladen County and started farming in Abbottsburg where Bennie Ray helped his parents and lived from that point forward. He acquired the love of reading early and sometimes found himself in a bit of trouble at school for reading instead of doing the lesson at hand. As a young boy his fascination with flying and airplanes lead him to collect books and brochures on the subject. He graduated from Bladenboro High School in 1960 and attended St. Andrews Presbyterian College before returning home to help with the farm. As a teenager, he met a very quiet and pretty girl at church and they later dated. Bennie Ray married Elizabeth Lorraine Hood on January 12, 1964. He was so happy, he did a cartwheel on the church's front lawn after the ceremony. Bennie Ray and Lorraine tended their own farm as well as helped their parents with theirs. Soon they added three daughters to their own family Bernetta Lynn, Karen Elizabeth and Marcia Leigh. When Bennie Ray wasn't farming or working at the paper mill, he was having fun with his girls. They played lots of board games, played outside every weekend, worked on projects together and just hung out. He loved waterskiing at White Lake during his twenties and thirties, then his interest moved on to golf. In his late forties, he fulfilled his childhood dream of flying. He became a small plane pilot and enjoyed many years of flying directly from his backyard runway to destinations beyond. Bennie Ray loved to travel. He particularly enjoyed the beaches of North and South Carolina and the mountains. He was fortunate to see some beautiful places like Yosemite National Park, The Grand Tetons, the tidal bore at the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Canada; Yellowstone National Park and the islands of Jamaica and St. Lucia. He spent time at Kerr Lake with his brother Bernard and sister-in-law, Marci; and took trips with Lorraine's family, Bruce and Esther Hood and Edith and Bill Burney. Bennie Ray loved people and considered everyone a friend. Strangers were only friends he had yet to meet. He had lots of fun flying with his sons-in-law, Bryan Singletary and Eddie Rouse and working on projects with son-in-law, Michael Sweeney. He enjoyed catching up with his nieces and nephews; Alana, Ashlin, Christy, Marlena, Phyllis and Willis and their families, when he had the opportunity. He loved the family of God at First Baptist Church in Bladenboro where he was a member for the past 20 years. When he could, he helped the Brotherhood complete mission projects. He was also a member of the Sunshine Club, the Adult Men's Sunday School Class, The Bus Committee and the Building and Maintenance Committee. In his later working years, he was elected to the Board of Directors at the Riegelwood Federal Credit Union and got to meet many people. He also enjoyed his membership in the Experimental Aircraft Association-1118 of Bladenboro. He loved milkshakes, ice cream, clam chowder, fried chicken, banana pudding and steak. He enjoyed being outside when it was sunny and warm. His smile and laugh brightened the gloomiest of days. Friends have used the following words to describe him: genuine, laughter, splendid, sharp, loving, smiling, generous beyond measure, beloved, courageous, honest, dependable, humble, selfless and a friend. His charm was evident by the repeated visits from numerous nurses, RT staff and doctors even after they had moved on to other rotations or assignments. He had a particular fondness for family physician, Dr. Gerald Devine in Lumberton and his nephrologist, Dr. Karin True and Transplant Coordinator, Jessica Hawn at the Kidney Transplant Center in Chapel Hill. He was given renewed energy and health through the selfless gift of a kidney from his good friend, Esther Hood. He considered Jerry Gore, Kenneth Kelly and Lane Lee close friends and enjoyed their time together. Some of his favorite times were spent with his grandchildren. He and Jon spent time around the farm. He enjoyed watching Jon play baseball and church basketball. He rooted for Morgan at volleyball, basketball and softball games. He cheered for Peyton at volleyball games, softball games and school academic events. Kelsie had his support at soccer, softball, volleyball and her first band concert. He never tired of pushing Elizabeth on her swing, playing dodge ball, talking on the tin can telephone and reading with her. When he reached Heaven on February 28, 2015 his granddaughter, Kaitlyn ran into his arms and he gave her a big hug and spun her around. He was also welcomed by his parents, his favorite Aunts Macy and Amelita and many other friends and relatives. The thing he loved most was living life, and he did that well. There will be a Celebration of Life party on Sunday, March 8 at 4 p.m., New Light Family Life Center, 307 Chestnut St., Bladenboro. Food will be served. If you would like to honor Bennie Ray, you may contribute to the UNC Kidney Center, 7024 Burnett-Womack CB # 7155, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7155 or Bladenboro First Baptist Church, PO Box 176, Bladenboro, NC 28320.
|
Bassett Family Association Database
1942 - 2015 (72 years)