Virginia Bassett

(From Parker Mortuary)

\Virginia Bassett, age 91, Joplin, passed away on Monday, November 8, 2021 at her home with family at her side.

Virginia Caroline Moffet was born March 16, 1930 to Marion O. Moffet, Sr. and Freda M. Williams. She attended Eagle Picher Elementary, North Junior High, and Joplin High School.

On September 5, 1947 she married Raymond R. Bassett. They had two sons and two daughters, Ronald Ray Bassett and wife Billie of Joplin, the late Richard Roy Bassett and his late wife Sandy of Sparks, Nevada, Susan Elaine McClure and her late husband Ken of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Nancy Lynn Orton and husband Mike of Joplin; 12 grandchildren, and numerous great and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Raymond Roy Bassett, who passed away on August 30, 2018, her sister, June Smith, and her brother, Marion Moffet, Jr.

Virginia worked at Fairchilds, Eagle Picher, Fred’s Frozen Foods, and Wal Mart. However her best work was done alongside her husband who owned and operated Ray Bassett Signs. She would climb ladders, jump ditches at the roadside, all while helping him put up billboards.

Her greatest asset was her beautiful heart. She loved her family and friends with all of herself. She took care of her momma, dad, sister, and mother-in-law in their final days. At the same time she gave her love to her family. She was well known for her pies. Her family was always trying to find pies as good as hers. It has not happened yet! She was an avid reader, so much so that she listened to audio books that her daughter-in-law Billie helped to orchestrate. Those books brought her so much joy. This sweet woman with a heart the size of Texas loved murder mysteries the best. She had such a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit. Her memory was amazing. Oh the stories she could tell. She was responsible for many of the families fond memories. Popcorn and fudge on Sunday night after church may be our favorite. Her fudge was the best, luckily we could coerce her to make that at other times. She would tell us no, but then her fudge would appear in about 30 minutes. She passed along her love of music to all her children. Lawrence Welk was her Saturday night entertainment. Susan and Nancy will never forget the Saturday night sing alongs we had. To know her was to love her.

Graveside service will be Friday, November 12, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Joe Morris officiating, and grandsons serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Wolfner Library for the Blind in Jefferson City, Missouri