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Light a Candle
Celebration of a Courageous and Triumphant Life
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23
On September 3, 1957, in the city of Palestine, Texas, a beautiful baby girl was born to Gloria Dean Bass and her proud grandparents Percy & Cleatrice Bass whom they named Kathy Denise Bass, the first grandchild. Kathy had the best of all worlds, living so close to loving grandparents and devoted Uncles. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her Savior and was a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and ushered. Until her death, Kathy was a faithful and active member of New Faith Church of Houston, TX and often shared key “nuggets” from her weekly Bible Study class.
Kathy attended school in the Palestine ISD including Banks Kindergarten, Lincoln Elementary, and A.M. Story. The public-school system integrated as she was transitioning to the 8th grade at Davey Crockett Junior High. We will just say she became a civil rights activist at an early age navigating her way through the turmoil of integration. She was a 1975 graduate of Palestine High School and went on to study at El Centro Business College in Dallas, TX. After college, Kathy relocated to Houston and had a thirty-five-year tenure in the medical field at Ben Taub Hospital which included the role of Unit Secretary of the Neurology and Psychiatric department before retiring.
Kathy’s pride and joy were her two sons, Kameron Tremaine, and Kristopher Tremal. Her objective in life was taking care of her sons, her mother, and looking out for her siblings, Thomas, and Gwen. God blessed this family with amazing memories.
Around the age of 37, Kathy was diagnosed with Muscular Sclerosis. She always said, “the doctors say I have MS but I don’t claim MS”. She became a warrior fighting her presenting symptoms as well as always advocating for others with the same diagnosis. She was an active member of the Houston MS Support Group, “Super Women of MS” organized and facilitated by Dr. Annette Howard, her neurologist in Houston.
Kathy faithfully attended monthly meetings sponsored by MS pharmaceutical companies which offered members an opportunity to learn more about current treatment, to fellowship and talk about topics of interest to them, which usually focused on the everyday quality of life issues of living well with MS. Kathy was loved and known by most in the group and developed an amazing relationship with Dr. Howard throughout the course of her illness.
Kathy was always ready to plan and participate in fun events. She was a member of the Southwestern Trail Rider Association and the United Bikers in which she traveled all over the country for annual events.
If asked to describe Kathy in a single word, it would be courageous. She lived a life wholly committed to family and steadfastly determined to overcome any obstacles she confronted. In the past few days, she has been referred to as the glue for the extended Bass family.
Preceding Kathy in life were her grandparents, Percy Bass and Cleatrice Bass, her uncles, Percy Bass Jr., Louis Bass, and George Bass. She leaves to cherish her loving memories her mother, Gloria Bass Moore, brother, Thomas E. Reeves, sister, Gwenlynn Reeves, sons Kameron Tremaine Bass and Khristopher Tremal Cornish, uncles James Bass Sr. and Rodger Bass and a host of aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
