Bess W. Basham

1919 - 2019

Bess W. Basham

Phoenix - Bess W. Basham, a devoted wife, friend and loving mother. Delivered to us on a warm Kentucky day back in 1919. She followed her family to Phoenix Arizona and met Bud Basham, in the 5th grade, her future husband of 75 years. They were friends and classmates throughout grade school and both later graduated from Phoenix Union High School. She married her sweetheart after high school and raised her first son Tom Basham at home while Bud was off on a naval vessel floating precariously around the Pacific. He returned to her in Phoenix in 1945 at the War's end.

Bess graduated from Phoenix College with high honors and many years later, at age 95, hoped to complete her degree at the University of Arizona. Throughout her life, she nurtured and supported her husband's successful business career in Phoenix. At the same time, she counseled and mentored her two sons. Her youngest son, David Basham, a retired airline pilot, currently practices law in Tucson. She was the best friend and support group any son could ever have.

Bess had a strong sense of civic duty and was an active member of several women's groups in Phoenix. She was an accomplished photographer, with recognition for many of her exhibits. An avid bridge player, musician, and good friend to the ladies in the Phoenix Garden Club. She taught both sons to play bridge and always played the game strategically until the score was tallied. And she had a special knack for winning at Scrabble. She was a member of the Women's Board of the Barrow Neurological Foundation and the Columbine Garden Club in Phoenix.

She was predeceased by both her husband and her eldest son. She passed gracefully away from us on January 18th, in the presence of friends and family. Bess was intent on reaching her 100th birthday and receiving a card from the President but fell short of this goal by a few months. It is a very sad day for the family members and friends she leaves behind.

She will be missed by many of her retired friends at Amber Lights Assisted Living Facility in Tucson, where she enjoyed the last four years of her life. While living in Tucson she traveled, dined out, shopped and spent money in any fashionable way, and was always eager to share time with family. Until her last, she was good natured and a lady with a quick smile and friendly retort.

A grave site service will be held on Saturday, February 2nd at Greenwood Memory Cemetery, 2300 W. Van Buren in Phoenix at 11:00 a.m. Please keep the flowers in the sunlight and direct any unnecessary benevolence to a favored charity. God Bless. We will miss you Mom.