Bassett Family Association Database

Joetta Bass

Female


Personal Information

  • Name Joetta Bass 
    Gender Female 
    Notes 

    • The Pioneer News, Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Wednesday, August 7, 2019
      Joetta Calhoun remembered for her love of MW

      MOUNT WASHINGTON - Joetta Bass Calhoun and Barry Armstrong knew each other in high school.

      He remembers her being active in extracurricular activities in high school and always having a smile on her face.

      As they grew older, both went a different path but both also had a hand in government.

      While Armstrong would serve many years on the city council, Calhoun went to serve U.S. Rep. William Natcher and Bullitt County Judge Arson Moore. She would then be employed by the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency, where she would ultimately retire.

      She was reunited with Armstrong as she served on the Mount Washington City Council for a term and then became the town's first female mayor in 2007, where she would serve for eight years.

      Calhoun, 75, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 1, at Baptist Health Louisville.

      "While in office, Joetta ran a very tight ship and was very frugal with her spending," said Armstrong.

      A change by past administrations allowed the connection fees for water and sewer service to be placed in the general fund. Upon election, Calhoun restored the city's prior practice and these funds were restored to an escrow account for capital projects.

      Armstrong said because of this move, the city restored its surplus and has allowed his administration to undertake several worthwhile projects.

      In looking back at his predecessor's administration, Armstrong said there were many accomplishments championed by Calhoun.

      There was the 16-inch water line along Wales Run. And, the first Light Up Mount Washington was held and it has become an annual holiday event.

      Trees and decorative plantings were placed around Mount Washington, including the downtown corridor. The Main Street program was initiated and led to sidewalks being installed downtown.

      A new sidewalk was installed on Highway 44 to Fisher Lane thanks to a grant being secured. And she was instrumental in getting the traffic signal at Armstrong Lane.

      Armstrong said Calhoun also led the creation of entrance signs into Mount Washington.

      She also worked with the Bikes with Wings Foundation to have a new skate park constructed in the newly-named Lindsey Duvall Park.

      For both Calhoun and Armstrong, a need in the community was a sports complex. The leaders often talked about the need but land was expensive.

      During her second term, Armstrong said the mayor called him and mentioned the city-owned property in its business park off Landis Lane. There would be no cost for the land since the city owned it.

      While construction didn't begin until Armstrong took office, he was very pleased that she was able to see it built and opened to the community.

      "Joetta was a good person, a good friend to my wife and I for years and loved her city and, most importantly, the people in it," said Armstrong. "She will be missed."

      Calhoun was a 1962 graduate of Mount Washington High School and attended both Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville.

      She was also a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

      She began her career working in the offices of Natcher and Moore before going on to be a regional planner for KIPDA.

      She is survived by her mother, Hazel Travis Bass; two daughters, Donna (Jerry) Passafiume and Toni Calhoun Unser; two brothers, Bill (Suzy) and David (Libby) Bass; a sister, Alice Jean Lucas; six grandchildren, Brian, Craig, Kevin (Amy), Kimberly, Cole and Addison; three great-grandchildren, Tanner, Xavier and Sebastian; along with a host of nieces, nephews and dear friends.

      Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with burial in Mount Washington Cemetery. Visitation will continue after 9 a.m. on Wednesday at McFarland-Troutman-Proffitt Funeral Home in Mount Washington.

      At the family's request, please, in lieu of flowers, make donations in Joetta's memory to Down Syndrome of Louisville.

      The Pioneer News, Shephersville, Kentucky, Saturday, August 3, 2019
      Joetta Bass Calhoun

      Joetta Bass Calhoun, 75, of Mount Washington, passed away on Aug. 1, 2019, at Baptist Health Louisville.

      She was a graduate of Mount Washington High School Class of 1962, attended both Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville, and was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

      She began her career working in the office of both U.S. Rep. William Natcher and Bullitt County Judge Arson Moore. She then retired after many years working as a regional planner for KIPDA.

      Following her retirement, she served on the Mount Washington City Council before serving as the city's Mayor.

      She is survived by her mother, Hazel Travis Bass; two daughters, Donna (Jerry) Passaflume and Toni Calhoun Unser; two brothers, Bill (Suzy) and David (Libby) Bass; one sister, Alice Jean Lucas; six grandchildren, Brian, Craig, Kevin (Amy), Kimberly, Cole and Addison; three great-grandchildren, Tanner, Xavier and Sebastian; along with a host of nieces, nephews and dear friends.

      Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mount Washington with burial to follow in Mount Washington Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and after 9 a.m. on Wednesday at McFarland-Troutman-Proffitt Funeral Home in Mount Washington.

      At the family's request, please, in lieu of flowers make donations in Joetta's memory to Downs Syndrome of Louisville.





    Person ID I79  Bass26 Bass of Bullitt County, Kentucky
    Last Modified 19 Jan 2021 

    Father William Earl Bass,   b. 19 Jan 1917, Bullitt County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Feb 1994, Mount Washington, Bullitt County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years) 
    Mother Hazel Marie Travis 
    Family ID F20  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart