Mary Carolyn Wilhelm Bass was a very special, strong woman who endured a lifetime of hardships and pain and still kept herself strong for all those around her. She resided in Troutman, N.C. She died on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in her grandson-in-law’s home in Lincoln County, N.C.

She was a mother of two children, Kenny Ray Bass and Jeanie Denise Bass, and a wife to David Ray Bass. She was a hard, dedicated spunky worker, devoted to both her family and all those she loved. She was a very logical, straight-forward woman who shot from the hip and loved her children and their children, her granddaughter, Misty Savonne Bass, and extended that love to her great-granddaughter, her “pumkin,” Abigail Faith Carpenter, all in their own special ways, as well as her cousins, Jackie Bass and Sudie M. Bass, and their boy, Eddie Bass. She held a special place in her heart for the close life-long friends she found in Vicky Leech and James Leech, as well as Joice-anne Gilreath.

Born in Statesville, N.C., to Margret Lucile Freeze Wilhelm and Johnny Eugene Wilhelm, she was the sibling to Johnny Richard Wilhelm and Bill Wilhelm. She spent the majority of her life in Iredell County, N.C., but traveled the country and frequented the mountains which she loved. She built a home with her husband in the mountains, stone by stone. Carolyn spent her life taking care of different people including but not limited to her family.

She was a kind-hearted, direct honest woman that will always be loved and missed until that time comes. We will all miss you, Carolyn.

A graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will visit with friends at Troutman Funeral Home prior to the service from 11 a.m. until 12 noon.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the Bass family.