Ann Cordell Basinger

1925 - 2017

Ann Cordell Basinger of Athens, passed away on October 7, 2017. Ann was born on November 22, 1925 in Hartwell, Ga. She was the daughter of James Cullen Cordell and Mary Elizabeth Howard Cordell. She attended college at Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Ga. and Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. Ann was a charter member of St. James United Methodist Church.

In her teenage years, she was very active and involved in sports in her high school. She was a swimmer, pole vaulter, and played basketball. As time moved on Ann went into modeling with the John Robert Powers agency in New York City. She was featured on a series of postcards, "Beach Babes of the 1940's". In 1948 she married Don Basinger and they began to raise their family of five children.

Ann loved the outdoors and worked tirelessly in her yard planting and caring for it. She was a creative woman and an accomplished seamstress with tremendous fashion sense. She enjoyed making many of her own clothes in her younger days, and years later making beautiful gowns for her daughters' dances and occasions. There is no denying that Ann was an amazing cook! There was always lots of "hanging out" at the Basinger home, playing ping-pong and enjoying all the goodies that were always around. It was a great joy to her to feed anyone and everyone. Her special recipes will always be a part of family celebrations.

Ann was a wonderful friend and neighbor to many and loved doing for others. She had a passion for animals since a very young age. Any animal that crossed her path was always cared for like her own. Ann's compassion and concern for people and all of God's creatures was a beautiful part of her heart. She has passed this love to her children and grandchildren. She had such a spark about her and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald W. Basinger Sr., her brothers, Howard L. Cordell and Clayton W. Cordell of Dublin, Ga., Lew Cordell of Milledgeville, Ga., Joe W. Cordell, of Tallahassee, FL., Jack Cordell of Starr, SC., and her only sister, Elizabeth Cordell Ferris, Orlando, FL.

Survivors include, sons, Donald (Skip) Basinger of Athens, Michael (Mick) Basinger of Jacksonville, FL., daughters, Kim Basinger of California, Barbara (Gary) Guyer and Ashley (Joe) Brewer of Athens, and Richard DeRose, whom she always considered as one of her own. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild along with several nieces and nephews that were very special to her. Her nephew, Chip Cordell and his wife, Charlotte, were especially close to her, and gave her great love and support.

Ann's family would like to express its sincere gratitude to the staff and friends at Talmadge Terrace for helping her to transition from her home to assisted living with kindness and great support. To the staff of Arbor Terrace for their love and wonderful care for her for the 14 months she lived there, and to Compassionate Care Hospice for their care of her the last 7 months, with tenderness and support for her and her family.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, November 12, 2017 in the Day Chapel at the UGA State Botanical Garden in Athens.

To honor Ann's memory, the family request contributions sent to Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 821 Alpharetta, GA. 30009 or visit the website www.angelsrescue.org, where her granddaughter, Allison volunteers, or Meals on Wheels, Athens Community Council on Aging, Inc., 135 Hoyt Street, Athens, Ga. 30601, www.accaging.org