Obituary of Dorothy Belch Bass

Dorothy “Dot” Belch Bass

Cherished mother, grandmother, and friend

Dorothy “Mama” Bass, age 103, passed peacefully on to her heavenly home with family by her side on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at her residence of six years, Legacy of Lexington.

She was born on December 9, 1920, in Fairmont, North Carolina. She was the third child welcomed by Alonzo Eli Belch and Rose Eva Mays Belch. When she was a young child, the family moved to Cayce, South Carolina, where she resided for most of her life. She had seven siblings, all of whom predeceased her.

She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Cayce (now Mill City Church), where she was an active, faithful member participating in the ministries of the church. She had many friends among her church family whom she enjoyed. She was an integral part of the church helping with things like Sunday School and the decorating committee, but she is mostly known for her cooking.

Her gift for cooking from the heart invariably comes up in any conversation about Mama Bass. Family favorites include homemade biscuits, chicken and dumplings, pound cake and carrot cake. However, the most requested dish is macaroni and cheese. She kept ingredients on hand to make it for any church funeral or occasion. Her home and table were open for family and friends to visit anytime, but especially Sunday dinner.

She graduated from Brookland-Cayce High School and soon after married Henry Bass in November of 1937.  She worked in business for over 25 years, while raising a family of five children. She has been a pillar of strength and faith and will be remembered as the matriarch of the Bass family.  She was celebrated with five generations in attendance at her 103^rd birthday party in December of 2023. She stayed involved in the lives of her family members, remembering birthdays, events, and asking about their daily lives up until her last day. She found joy in her family and took pride in their accomplishments.

Dot loved to travel and planned a special trip each year with a family member or friend. She enjoyed many bus tours. She took pride in having visited all 50 states, with Hawaii being the last state in her 80^th year.

She had a lifetime love of reading.  Later in life, she received treatment for wet macular degeneration, but enjoyed reading large print books provided by the Lexington County Circulating Library. She also enjoyed watching University of South Carolina baseball, or her favorite, the Atlanta Braves.

She made many friends at Legacy of Lexington and enjoyed the group activities, especially BINGO.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; son, Earl; son, Leslie; son-in-law, Johnny Hamby. She is survived by daughter, Brenda Hook (Davis); son, Larry; and daughter, Kathy Hamby. Her surviving family also includes 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 17 great-great-grandchildren as well as many adoring nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 2 PM, at Thompson Funeral Home, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, South Carolina 29073. Family will receive friends immediately following the service. Burial will be private. For those unable to attend the service, it will be available via the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/5769937627. In lieu of flowers, please consider Shriner’s Hospital or a charity of your choice.