Mrs. Dorothy Evelyn Bass

The family of Mrs. Dorothy Evelyn Mangum Bass, announces her passing which occurred on Sunday, September 20, 2020. How sweet it is at evening after a long and well spent day, to close the eyes in slumber and rest from the toil of the day. It is doubly sweet, at the close of a well spent life, to turn one’s face toward the sunset and quietly sink into the rest that knows no wakening, except in the presence of God. Such was the passing of our beloved mother on September 20, 2020. DOROTHY EVELYN MANGUM BASS was the youngest of seven children born to the union of the late Alice Coley Mangum and Charlie H. Mangum of Creedmoor (Granville County), North Carolina. Evelyn was also a granddaughter of the late Lucy Taylor Coley and Josephus Coley, charter members of Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Creedmoor. Growing up in a Christian home, Evelyn professed Christ at a young age and joined Pine Grove where her father was a deacon. Evelyn had a beautiful soprano voice and loved singing in the choirs of the church. She also enjoyed attending Vacation Bible School and Baptist Training Unions. Evelyn graduated from Creedmoor High School. On Thanksgiving Day, 1954, she married Gladys Bass, son of Willie and Corinna Bass of Rougement, NC. To this holy union, they were most blessed with three daughters: Joyce, Valerie “Marie,” and Vickie. Evelyn was a stay-at-home mom for many years and enjoyed caring for and nurturing her daughters in the Christian faith at Pine Grove through Sunday School where their father was Sunday School Superintendent, participating in the children’s and youth choirs and missionary groups, ushering, and summer Christian education programs. Later in life, Evelyn was employed at the infirmary at Murdoch Center in Butner, NC where she retired as a healthcare technician. During retirement, Evelyn enjoyed taking a computer class at Vance Granville Community College, traveling and participating in activities with her local Senior Citizens Center, spending time with family and lifelong friends, and making new friends wherever she went. She always shared her love of hymns and the gospel of Jesus Christ through singing, kind words, and loving deeds. Evelyn will best be remembered for her beautiful smile, generosity to her family, friendly yet quiet demeanor, quick wit, and sense of humor. She loved to sing hymns and spirituals in the Pine Grove Senior Choir, read the Bible, inspirational poetry, and humor books; complete word search puzzle books; and in her last days, was still able to dominate players in games of dominoes. Some of her favorite songs were: “I Surrender All” and “This Little Light of Mine.” As recently as her 101st birthday, she was still able to recite “The Lord’s Prayer” from memory. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and six siblings: Blanche Mangum Crews; Carl Mangum; Josephine Mangum Day; Myrtle Mangum Suitt; Robert Mangum; and Gertrude Mangum Green. She will be greatly missed by her three loving and devoted daughters: Dr. Joyce Bass Valentine (Willard) of Wake Forest, NC, Valerie Bass McMillian (Tyrone (d)) of Cary, NC, and Vickie Bass of Creedmoor, NC; her beloved grandson, David Edwards (Ivorie) of Charlotte, NC; a step-granddaughter, Karen Valentine Riles (Windle) and great-granddaughters Mayson and Madyson Riles of Franklin, TN; a sister-in-law, Everlyn Bass of Durham, NC; and a loving host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. To God be the glory! Mrs. Dorothy Evelyn Mangum Bass will be laid to rest in Pine Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Dorothy Evelyn Bass

September 14, 1919 - September 20, 2020