Following a difficult struggle with Lewy Body Dementia, on July 26, 2026, our beloved mama, Eunice O. Bass, was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus, her savior.  She was the daughter of Fred and Mittie Lockamy Owens and grew up in the Kitty Fork area of North Carolina, where she had fond memories of her friends from Herring School. After graduating high school, she attended Campbell College and became a secretary for Sampson County Extension for a time. On January 14, 1956, Eunice married the love of her life, Lonnie Jackson Bass, Sr. Side by side, she helped him on the farm and helped make their dreams become reality. All the while, she made a comfortable home for their three children. She enjoyed having a big garden, canning and freezing food for family, and sharing it’s bounty with neighbors and friends.  She was a talented seamstress and often made clothes for her family as well as other items for the home. She was not one to verbalize her love nor was she a hugger, but we never doubted her love for she showed us in so many ways how much she loved us. Mama and Daddy were always active in their church, Mt. Gilead Baptist, and made sure their children had a strong Christian foundation on which to build our lives. We are so thankful to them for teaching us how to work, worship and love others by the example they set for us.

Mama had a kind and gentle heart and she showed her love for others by the way she cared for them.  She took care of her parents during their latter years as well as her only sibling, McKinley Owens (even though she said she would kill him if she ever got big enough because he used to tease and taunt her so much, being 11 years older than her.) She cared for daddy through his health issues and finally his lewy body dementia journey. Mama was an incredible Southern cook, always able to whip up a meal for anyone who stopped by at meal time.  Mama’s spiritual gift was definitely hospitality.  Everyone looked forward to her made from scratch buttermilk biscuits and fried chicken, among her many other specialties.

Mama had such a gentle spirit, a willingness to listen and a warm, infectious laugh. She found great joy at the cabin she and daddy designed and built together. It’s simplicity reminded her of a quieter, simpler way of life that she deeply cherished. She enjoyed spending time rocking on the porch overlooking the pond with daddy while they ate a nab and drank a Mountain Lightning, reliving dreams that came true and ones for the future. Mama was lost with out daddy when he passed away in 2020. She longed for the day they would be reunited in heaven. She often said she would be happy with a little cabin in heaven with daddy and we trust that is where she is. She also said many times that she hoped she did not get kitchen duty in heaven. If because of her expertise she does, we are sure she will enjoy every minute of it for God is good!

Eunice is survived by daughters, Deborah Thompson (Johnny) and Lora Marshall (Johnny) of Clinton, NC and son, Lonnie Jackson Bass, Jr. (Chad) of Atlanta, GA. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Gavin Thompson (Jesse), Brandon Thompson (Kimberly), Blake Thompson (Madison), Zack Marshall (Brittainy), Meredith Marshall and Kyle Marshall. She also has ten great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 1, 2026, 2:00-2:45 at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. Celebration of her home going will follow at 3:00 and a short grave side service. Family will receive visitors at other times at the home beginning Thursday, July 30, 2026.  Memorials may be given to Lewy Body Dementia Organization or Mt. Gilead Baptist Church.

The family wishes to give a special thanks to Patsy Joyner, Orletta Faison, and Charlene Bell for all the care and kindness you showed to mama these past few months during this difficult time.  We could not have done it without your help, God’s grace and mercy, and the prayers and love of our church family and friends.  Thank you also to Gentiva Hospice’s Courtney Bell and Pam Guidry.  We appreciate your gift of helping the terminally ill.  Thank you to the special ladies in the Olivia Marshburn Class whose friendship meant so much to mama.