Mary Bass

Mary Jo Bass, 72, died peacefully at her home in Newport, North Carolina, the week of June 8, 2025.

A memorial service to honor Mary Jo’s life will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 20th at Munden Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through her obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days.

Born in Wilson, North Carolina to Luther Carpenter and Mollie Pittman Carpenter, Mary Jo was one of six children. While growing up with one sister and four brothers she developed a toughness that was hard to match. She was always willing to provide you a story of her younger years growing up as a tomboy on Hines Street.

In her younger years she enjoyed a good beach day, some beach music and dancing. Many summer days were spent with the family water skiing or knee boarding up and down Taylor's Creek. She loved the water and her family more than anything.

Mary Jo worked for many years at the Morehead City Port for Owens Corning where she progressed through several positions, she was always known as a hard worker and quick learner. After Owens Corning downsized at the port, she worked and volunteered at various places while trying to positively impact and help others. She worked for both Easter Seals of Eastern North Carolina and as a service dog trainer in more recent years.

Never one to be idle, the past few years, while in her 70’s, she became a notary public and also began to substitute teach in the local school system. Being able to substitute was a true blessing for her as she loved the kids and oftentimes got to see her grandkids at school. She was a student favorite where she was stern but very loving and always doled out words of hard earned wisdom. Anyone that has seen her interact with children knows she always had a special way, she showered them with love and they admiringly returned it as well.

As a born again Christian, she attended several different local churches regularly where you were either already her friend or were getting ready to be her friend. She was always generous both with her things as well as her time and was always happy to lend a helping hand.

Mary Jo loved to travel for recreation as well as work and has visited many of the states and traveled internationally to Europe and the Bahamas. One of her favorite trips was a train ride across the US to drive an antique hot rod back with her son and grandson.

Many years ago, she was hit by a drunk driver. She endured many back and neck surgeries in an effort to relieve the pain she struggled with daily. Never one to rest on her laurels when faced with obstacles, she always found or made a way. She was the consummate survivor. To those who knew her you were always impressed but never surprised.

If you knew her long and/or well enough you knew she was both passionate and strong willed. If you were lucky enough to be close to her, you would also know how loving she was. She will always be known for her toughness which was only exceeded by her loving heart.

She is survived by Randall Bass; her two sons, Spencer Morgan and Brandon (Lisa) Bass; sister, Barbara Allen; grandsons, Spencer Morgan Jr, Rhett (Triana) Morgan, Anderson “BJ” Bass, Everett Bass and Hank Bass; great-grandchildren, Avi Morgan and Rhett Holden Morgan Jr.; siblings, Larry (Cissy) Carpenter, LC (Mary) Carpenter, Lynn Carpenter, Lee (Brenda) Carpenter; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Also left to cherish her memory are many special friends, from Carteret County to Wilson County, and beyond. Too many to call by name, which is a true gift and a legacy of a life well-lived. Please know the family appreciates the love and joy you brought to her life. She loved you all dearly and especially enjoyed the opportunity you provided her to shine Jesus’ love here on Earth. Being able to help a friend out gave her the greatest joy in her later years, and we know her presence will be missed greatly by many!

Last but certainly not least, she is survived by her two Golden Retrievers Pal and Izzy. They were loved like no other and anytime you saw her they weren't too far away.

She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, whom she often fondly spoke of, as well as her father and her first born child, Dennis Wayne Morgan.

As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.