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J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home Inc.
Pastor Doris Bass
October 5, 1935 ? December 26, 2025
On Friday, December 26, 2025, the earth lost an iconic woman of virtue, a shepherding mother, a humble servant, and crowned jewel, and Heaven gained a precious soul. The most beloved Pastor Doris Bass transitioned from this life and was called from her labor to reward.
Her journey began on October 5, 1935, when Doris (Mamie) was born to Martha Ann Donald in Johnston County, North Carolina. Doris was blessed to be raised by Mallie and Nettie Richardson. Growing up, Doris was favored by the love of her Richardson and Scarboro siblings: Esther, Willie, David (Boyee), Nathan, Robert, James, Luther, Wilbert, Roosevelt, Joseph, Rodney, Carolyn, Coy, Ercell, John, Arthur, and Ida Mae; all of whom she maintained close bonds. She was educated in Zebulon school system, and the journey led her to New York City in the 1950s.
As the wife of Merlin Bass, Jr. and mother to Cynthia (Gail), Gloria, Myrnia (Pearl), Merlin (Butch), Jerry, and Audrey she established a legacy of love that extended to her thirteen grandchildren: Lamont, Crystal, Demetris, Reginald Jr., Larry Jr., Merlin IV, Yolanda, Jahmar, Malik, Callia, Brittany, Zaira, and Jordyn; great-grandchildren, spiritual children, nieces, nephews and a host of family-friends. Doris was well known for being caring and feeding everyone. She opened her home to anyone in need of a safe haven. Her home was her castle where she entertained family and friends, enjoyed caring for her plants, cooking special dishes, and ?coffee time conversations.?
Doris Bass was raised in a Christian home, and her journey would lead her into ministry. In the 1980s at Tabernacle of Blessings in St. Albans, Queens, under the late Rev. Clifton E. Durham, Doris carried multiple responsibilities, including noonday prayer, kitchen operations, and hospitality, playing a key role in building the small but growing ministry. During this time, her spiritual hunger deepened, and she recognized God?s call on her life. This calling was affirmed when she was licensed as an evangelist in the summer of 1984. She remained a faithful servant at Tabernacle of Blessings until its dissolution in the late 1980s, and later continued ministry service at Maranatha Tabernacle under Dr. James C. Blocker, where she served as a nurse, aide, and spiritual encourager to the congregation.
In 1998, the next destination on her journey was Fountain of Praise under the leadership of Pastor Dorothy Hyman, where Evangelist Bass gained renewed strength and perspective in ministry. Before relocating in 2004, Pastor Hyman released Bass to begin her own pastoral work. That same year, God impressed a clear vision upon her, leading to the start of a small Friday night Bible study and, soon after, the launch of Living Praise Tabernacle. The church held its first Sunday morning service on June 28, 2004, and in September of that year, Doris Bass was officially ordained and installed as pastor of the Living Praise Tabernacle. Her ordination, officiated by Rev. Durham was a full-circle moment and witnessed by fellow clergy, marking the fulfillment of her call after decades of faithful service. Pastor Bass served Living Praise (now The Living Church) until her health declined.
Although her journey was not always easy, Doris Bass was graced for her journey. It was a journey that thrust her into Christian service. It was a journey that birthed compassion for the hungry and the homeless. It was a journey that caused her kind heart to share encouraging words that would stand through tough times. It was a journey that caused her to endure hardness as a good soldier. We are thankful that we are made better because of her witness and her journey.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1935 - 2025 (90 years)
(Age 77 years)