Debbie Lynn Bass

Debbie Lynn Bass was born Debbie Lyn Ford on August 2, 1954 in Meridian, MS.  Debbie was raised from birth by her grandmother Virginia Ford Hursey, who cared for her while her mother, Alice Ford finished nursing school in Virginia.  During her formative years in Meridian, Debbie attended St. Joseph's Catholic School and Magnolia Elementary School.  She grew up adored and cared for not only by her grandmother Virginia 9affectionately known as MotherDear and MaDear), but also her three aunts and two uncles under one foot.  As a teen, she left Mississippi to join her mother Alice in Virginia.  Her mother had met and married Tralve Bass Sr. and from this union two children were born; Tralve Bass Jr. and Tracy Bass (preceded in death) whom Debbie loved and helped to care for before and after school each day.  Debbie's baby sister Tracy, was born with intellectual and physical disabilities which required around the clock care.  It was Debbie's experiences caring for Tacy that would influence her career interests later in life.  When school was out for summer vacation, Debbie would travel North to spend time with her three aunts who had cared for her as a baby and whom she loved dearly including her Aunt Doris Ellis and Aunt Ruby Boston in New Jersey, as well as her Aunt Mattie in Chicago.  In 1972 Debbie graduated from Nottaway High School and matriculated into Virginia State University to study education as a student athlete in the Women's Basketball team.

"Mississippi" as she was called on the basketball court, was All American and held a record for number of  free throws.  Also while a student she found sisterhood pledging Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.  The bonds she established with these young women during her undergraduate years would endure for the rest of her life. In 1975, she began student teaching at Peabody High School in Petersburg, VA. to fulfill her graduation requirements and subsequently graduated in 1976 from VSU with a BS in Health and Physical Education.  She later returned to VSU to complete a Master's Degree in Guidance in 1981.

Her professional career began with a teaching position in Virginia at St Joseph's Catholic School in 1976, but  would quickly find her life's passion elsewhere.  Later that same year she was recruited to play intramural basketball and worked as a teacher's aide at the state operated school for students with special needs called Southside Virginia Training Center.  There she worked as an aide for one year and was quickly promoted to her own classroom and gym as a Physical Education teacher.  in her role as PE teacher at SVTC, she started a day camp that introduced the students to activities like camping and horseback riding at the local Pocahontas State Park.  Other notable contributions she made to the lives of her students were creating opportunities for the wider community to interact and engage with the special needs community.  Debbie helped coordinate community event days in which students and community members could play field games and compete together in athletic events.  Her work at SVTC allowed her to merge both her love of athletics with her knowledge of caring for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities.

In addition to her regular teaching duties, in 1981 she was also asked to work as Area Coordinator for the Special Olympics over nine localities in the state of Virginia.  In this role, she taught and trained special needs students to compete in sports scuh as cross county skiing, bowling and basketball using adaptive technology and instruments she designed herself.  She continued to train students for the Special Olympics until she left in 1989.  To say that she love her students would be an understatement.  Family and friends alike all knew how deeply she cared for the well being and development of those with special needs and she flourished in this capacity.  Her time at SVTC was also where she formed even more lifelong friendships, including meeting her best friend, Yolanda "Cookie" Hampton.  In 1985 Debbie and her partner Master Sergeant Marvin Patterson (deceased) gave birth to twin girls; Marcy and Megan Patterson whom she loved immeasurably.  Her love and family would continue to grow over the years, extending on to her two grandsons Michaeland Maurice whom she helped care for after retiring.

Debbie was preceded in death by Virginia Hursey; grandmother, Alice Bass; mother, Tralve Bass Sr.; father, Tracy Bass; sister, Doris Ellis; aunt, Martha Hursey; aunt, Wheeler Ford; uncle, Nathaniel West; uncle, and Nanetta West; cousin.  Debbie survived by her twin daughters; Marcy Patterson and Megan Patterson Poteat, her Son-in-Law Larry Poteat Jr., God-child Jillian Hampton Brown, grandchildren Maurice and Michael Patterson, her brother Tralve Bass Jr., Aunts Ernestine Bass, Mattie West and Ruby Boston, Uncle Billy Charles Hursey, along with a host of relatives, sorority sisters and close friends.

Debbie was a lovable, good person with an abundance of compassion for animals and people in need.  She was enjoyed by everyone she met.  Always ready with a joke or a compliment to make you smile.  She was a woman with strong faith who knew God's word well.  She had within her a wealth of knowledge and education was always a priority  in her life, which she passed onto her children and family.  Everywhere she went she left a lasting impression on the lives of others.  A comedian, the life of th party, storyteller and always ready to make you laugh.  She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to know and love her.

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