Annie Bell Bass

Early on Easter Sunday morning, March 31, 2024, at approximately 4:00 AM, the Lord called Annie Bell Williams Bass to her eternal rest.  She was born September 2, 1933, in Cincinnati, OH to the late Clarence and Dan Ella Mason Williams. As the youngest child of this union and only daughter, she often sought to match wits with her older brothers, Clarence, Jr., Eugene, and Howard Williams. 

She spent her childhood and remaining years in Nashville, TN where she attended Pearl High School in the early 1950's. In 1952, Annie Bell united in marriage with Robert Alexander Bass, Sr. of Ardmore, TN.  To this union three children were born, Rosetta, Regina Anne, and Robert, Jr.  

Although she was baptized at an early age, as an adult, she united with Victory Baptist Church followed by Watson Grove Baptist Church. Later during her senior years, when her husband was baptized and professed his faith to longtime teacher and deacon London McGill, she and Robert became members of the Schrader Lane Church of Christ family. As she grew in grace, she eagerly served as Zone Leader, Sick and Shut-In Visitation Team member, and United School Workers member for Southwestern Christian College fundraising campaigns. 

While raising three children, Annie Bell did the customary jobs relegated to under-educated Afro-American women in the early 1950's and 60's, housekeeping and baby-sitting for middle class families. Somehow, she also found time to sell those three staples of the mid-20th century American female entrepreneur: Avon, Tupperware, and Fuller Brush products.  

Diligence and old-fashioned tenacity winning out, she eventually became a School Crossing Guard, formerly called Mother Patrol Officer. On this job in the late 1960's, known as "Mother Bass" to neighborhood children attending Waverly Belmont Junior High School, she left an indelible impression. As adults, many of the former children from the South Nashville neighborhood fondly recall her nurturing presence on Tenth Avenue South. Then, instead of leaving her high school studies unfinished, Annie Bell returned to Cohn Adult High School. She not only earned her diploma but was an exemplary student.  Her grown children, relatives, and close friends proudly gathered to hear Annie Bell deliver the graduation address, as salutatorian, for the Cohn Class of 1991. Later in life, as a senior, her genuine love for children led her to work for the federally funded Foster Grandparent Program at both Napier and Taylor Stratton schools. 

As it is said, "Your career is what you're paid for, but your calling is what you're made for." Albeit a popular neighborhood seamstress in her early adult years, in midlife Annie Bell studied children's clothing design at Watkins Institute in the late 1980's. She formerly made all sorts of clothing from formal gowns to coats to lingerie.  She even designed multi-colored tennis apparel. Coincidentally, her tennis-playing daughter Regina won the Most Properly Dressed trophy at Hadley Park Tennis Club long before colorful tennis outfits became the rage. However, when Annie Bell released her creativity while embellishing children's clothes, she truly flourished. Although she continued to alter clothes for adult friends and relatives, even after gentle protest from some, she never again picked up a pattern to make adult apparel.  

After a long and fruitful life, Annie Bell now prepares for her heavenly reunion with these loved ones: her husband and son, Robert and Robert, Jr., her three brothers, Clarence, Jr., Eugene, Howard, and half-brother, Clarence H. "Tini" Williams. She is also predeceased by her niece Sheila Williams, her favorite cousin Mary Della Sanford, and lifelong friend Annie Elizabeth Spencer. 

Continuing to carry her spirit in their hearts are her daughters: Rosetta Bass, Regina (Thomas L.) Bass Helton; half-sisters: Alvina (Sherry) Williams, Pamela Williams; nephews: Reginald (Gayle) Williams of St. Petersburg, FL, Roger Williams of Cincinnati, OH, Tyrone Williams of Indianapolis, IN; nieces: Deborah (Sam) McKeever, LaToya (Corey) Jones, Judicia Williams, Sasha Williams, and bonus niece Phyllis Talley; great nephew, Gregory Williams, great nieces: Delight Williams, Amari Jones, and Ayanna Jones; step grandson: T. Michael (Melissa) Helton and his family—daughters: Jaclyn, Meg, Meredith, Eliza Grace, and grandchild, Rowan; bonus daughters: Trevor Joyce Holt, Regina Spencer Johnson, Wanda Sanford Jordan, and Brenda Carothers. Dearest friends include: Rose Cox, Queen Simmons, Jeannette "Granny" Starks, Sheryl Bennett, Ardis Drake, Pat White, and James (Rhonda) Johnson along with a host of other friends and loving relatives. 

The family respectfully requests that all monetary donations go to Alive Hospice of Nashville, Youth About Business, and St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital in the name of Annie Bell Bass. All edibles should be delivered to the Nashville Rescue Mission, one of her favorite local charities.