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- Temple Daily Telegram, Texas, 3 April 2005
Mrs. Bass celebrates 100th birthday
Velma A. Thill Bass celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Lawton Albin, March 13-19.
Velma Augusta Thill was born in Augusta, Okla., on March 15, 1905, to Joseph and Anna Mae Crawford Thill Jr. She attended school in Harper, Ka., and Medford, Okla., graduating from high school in 1923. She continued her education in Medford and at Phillips University in Enid, Okla. She taught school for three years before marrying Howard L. Bass on May 21, 1927.
After living in several towns in Oklahoma and Texas, Mrs. Bass and her husband settled in Rio Grande City in 1932. Betty Jerolyn was born in 1935 and Peggy Marilyn was born in 1937. After her husband died, Mrs. Bass remained in Rio Grande City until 1988 when she sold her home, a historic site now used for the City Hall, and moved to Temple to be near her daughters.
Throughout her years in Rio Grande City, she was actively involved in the First Baptist Church, serving as either pianist or music director for many years. She worked with youth groups in the church and was a strong supporter of youth in the community. For 20 years, she designed and made all the favors for 24 different occasions each year for the patients in the community hospital.
The week-long celebration culminated in a party attended by 125 on Saturday, March 19. All of Mrs. Bass' grandchildren and their families attended the party, hosted by daughters Betty Hiles and Mrs. Albin, and assisted in greeting guests and serving in the house party.
One special guest was Elveda Vela Lee, a friend and neighbor in Rio Grande City over 70 years ago.
The Saturday celebration included incidental piano music by Pam Bland and special music by the Joy Singers, the senior adult choir at First Baptist Church, accompanied by Mrs. Hiles. Kevin Hiles, mayor of Rio Grande City, presented his grandmother with a framed copy of a proclamation that named March 15, 2005, as Velma Thill Bass and Howard L. Bass Day in Rio Grande City.
Mrs. Bass, though partially paralyzed by a stroke in 1992 and unable to use her right hand, has continued to stay busy with handwork projects and recently made the flower rosettes presented to guests as favors.
Among the special events in the week of celebration were a small party of 20 on Monday hosted by her daughters and grandson, Duane Hiles of Ankenny, Okla.; a special birthday cake brought to her by her granddaughter, Lorie Hiles Hance, and her family on Tuesday; the surprise arrival of her favorite niece of 78 years, Colleen Bass Haskins of Wenatchee, Wa. on Wednesday; the arrival of her grandson, Craig Hiles, of Rockwall and his family presenting her with handmade cards for a memory book on Thursday; and the Friday arrival of her grandson, Kevin Hiles of Rio Grande City, and his daughters bringing balloons and streamers to greet guests.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1905 - 2005 (99 years)