Willie “Doris” Overcash Bass, 96, of Troutman, N.C., passed away peacefully on May 21, 2024, at her assisted living facility in Spartanburg, S.C., with her niece, Linda “Sue” Overcash Harris; her good friend and neighbor, Betty Powell; her good friend and roommate of 10 years, Nancy Quinn; her hospice nurses, Jennifer and Angie; and many loving friends and caretakers by her side.
Doris was born in Iredell County, N.C., on November 20, 1927. She was one of seven children and the daughter of Ira and Emma (Mackey) Overcash, who were sharecroppers during the Great Depression. Growing up in the cotton field left little time to study, but through hard work and determination she graduated from Mt. Ulla High School in 1945. Her favorite subject was spelling, and she played catcher on her high school baseball team. After graduating from high school, Doris married her husband, Jay Allen “Toot” Bass, upon his return from the Army at the end of World War II. She was an active choir member and a great Sunday School teacher at Ostwalt Baptist Church. Doris was a hard worker and quick with her hands. She held several factory worker positions, making chairs and sewing pants. She retired on May 31, 2012, at 85 from the Troutman Elementary School cafeteria. Doris served her community well. She cooked for the infirmed, sat with the elderly, and cared for her nieces, nephews, and neighborhood children of all ages. She was known for her kind ways, her love of children and animals, and her funny sense of humor. She loved to sing old Baptist hymns, cheerful songs, and silly rhymes from her childhood. She brought great joy to her family and friends.
Doris is survived by many nieces and nephews, extended family members, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jay Allen “Toot” Bass; her parents, Ira Monroe Overcash Sr. and Emma Lee Mackey Overcash; her brothers, Ira Monroe “Buck” Overcash Jr., Max Duward Overcash, Allen Clayton Overcash, and Keith O’Neal Overcash; and her sisters, Julia Katherine Overcash (Shue) Litzner, and Mildred Kathleen Overcash Parker.
Memorial services will be held at Oswalt Baptist Church, 198 Ostwalt Amity Road, Troutman, NC 28166, on Friday, May 31. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at the church with the memorial service at 2 p.m. officiated by the Rev. Wesley Morris. Doris requested attendees “come as they are, wear comfortable clothes and be themselves.” Burial to follow at Iredell Memorial Gardens, 2304 Shelton Avenue, Statesville, NC 28677.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is serving the family.