August 23, 2012

Katie Lea Bass, 94, of 1510 Freeney Ave., Suffolk, Va., died Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012, at Consulate Health Care of Windsor. She was a native of Danville, Va., and the daughter of the late Thomas H. Lea and Malinda Wade Lea. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry M. Bass; daughter, Lynda D. Bass; sister, Mary Ruth Lea Thompson; two brothers, Thomas H. Lea and Clarence Lea.

She graduated from John M. Langston High School. She received her RN degree from Saint Phillips College and advanced training from Virginia Commonwealth University. Mrs. Bass retired after 30 years as a nurse from Louise Obici Memorial Hospital. She was a member of East End Baptist Church, where she was on the Deaconess Board, Nurses’ Unit and Women’s Missionary Unit. She also was a member of the Omega Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Professional Nursing Sorority, past president and founder of the Suffolk chapter.

She leaves to cherish her memory two nieces, Pearl Thompson Kirby, of Maryland, and Kathy Thompson, of North Carolina; great-nieces, Judy Thompson Ampley, of North Carolina, and Maya G. Middleton, of Maryland; cousins, Irma Mead and Gertrude Morgan, both of Maryland, Mamie Raynor, Shirley Baker and Kimberly Jenkins, both of North Carolina; extended family, Beverly White, Rashida White and the Rev. and Mrs. J.J. Ferguson; and many friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at East End Baptist Church officiated by the Rev. Dr. Mark A. Croston. Interment will be in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, 4569 Shoulders Hill Road, Suffolk. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29 at the funeral home. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.