Mary Louise Bass

Mary Louise Bass of Avon Park, FL went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, and what a day of rejoicing it was! Mary was born on June 15, 1930 in Carrollton, GA, the second child and only daughter of the late Barney “BC” and Jewell Smith (Langley). She met her life-long love, Milton, of Lake Wales, FL, in 1953 while he was on leave from the U.S. Army and visiting mutual friends in Atlanta. The rest, as they say, was history. Milton and Mary were married on September 18, 1954 in Stone Mountain, GA, and enjoyed 64 years of sharing their lives together before his passing in 2018.

Mary came to faith in Christ as an adult, and she and Milton, with their three daughters, became faithful members and servants at First Baptist Church in Avon Park. She enjoyed several roles in her life, but next to wife, mother, and Granny/Nana, her favorite was Sunday School teacher. She taught the Bible to her women’s Sunday School class faithfully for more than 40 years, stopping only when her eyesight no longer allowed her to clearly see and prepare her lessons, which were the culmination of hours upon hours of study each week. She loved the Lord with all her heart, and her greatest joy was sharing the Good News with everyone she met!

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, BC and Jewell Smith, brother Carl Smith, grandson Kristopher Michael, and beloved husband of 64 years, Milton Bass. Carrying on her legacy of love and faith is her brother, Lamar Smith of Stockbridge, GA, her three daughters, Rebecca (Steve) Michael, of Hixson, TN, Cindy (Don) Booth of Avon Park, FL, and Tammy Luckhart of Soddy Daisy, TN, eight grandchildren, Kevin (Jade) Michael of Hixson, TN, Amanda Macklin of Nashville, TN, Allison (Chop) Pough of Haines City, FL, Natalie (Josh) Miller of Hixson, TN, Lauren Luckhart of Soddy Daisy, TN, Whitney (Lance) Underwood of LaFayette, GA, Michael Booth of Avon Park, FL, and Allison Booth of Avon Park, FL, fourteen great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

She will be fondly remembered for many things, including her sense of humor. She and Milton loved participating in skits for church fundraisers over the years! Mary also worked for many years at Wells Motor Company, where she retired. She loved Gone with the Wind, Little House on the Prairie, and never missed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in the evenings. She loved preparing home cooked meals for her family which always included fresh, from scratch, biscuits every night with supper. She loved serving in her church and we have every confidence that many souls will be in heaven because of her faithful witness. Mary loved people well, her joy was evident in all circumstances, and she will be cherished in the hearts of those whose lives she touched.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Friday, March 17th at 3:00 pm at First Baptist Church Avon Park. The family will receive friends before the service from 1:30-3:00 pm with burial immediately following the service at Bougainvillea Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
111 E. Circle St.
Avon Park, FL  33825
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com