Hazel Zellers Bass – an 88 year-old native of Evergreen, Alabama, former resident of Tucson, Arizona, and longtime resident of Chickasaw and Satsuma, Alabama passed away on Saturday, August 26, 2023. Mrs. Bass enjoyed traveling, especially going on cruises, going to lunch with her seniors group, watching western movies, and was an avid Auburn football fan.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William T. Zellers and Gladys C. Zellers; husband, Donald L. Bass; son, Ronald L. Bass; and sisters, Mamie L. Thompson and Mildred P. Crenshaw. Mrs. Bass is survived by three children, John (Perre), Philip (Ayako), and Sonya (Rusty); grandchildren, Gregory(Tiffany), Shannon , Mitchell , Selena(Chris), Alesia, Malinda, Annie (Ryan), and Jake ; great-grandchildren, Emma and Cooper; her beloved feline companion, “Tiger”; other relatives and friends. The family would like to offer a special thanks to Cynthia Adams and family and Melvin Robinson and family for all of their care and support.
Born December 6, 1934, a child of depression era Evergreen, Alabama. Hazel spent her early years with her parents there in Evergreen. But the economics and geo-political pressures of the nazi-era soon had Hazel, Polly, and Mamie, staying with caretakers in Evergreen while their parents had employment in a Mobile growing amidst a US military build up and support to allies in Europe.
Soon housing and employment allowed for relocating the entire family to North Mobile around the time the newly finished Bankhead Tunnel opened to traffic 1941. Growing up in North Mobile and Pritchard, Hazel only reached the level of the tenth grade before dropping from enrollment and supporting the household with cooking and other domestic needs that the working sisters and parents were challenged to manage.
However, in 1951, she joined Donald Bass, a 1950 graduate of Murphy High School in marriage. Amid the Korean war draft, Donald had enlisted with the US Air Force, only created in 1947 itself. This had the two Mobile teenagers stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson Arizona. This was years before the Eisenhower Interstate Highway System would be funded and constructed. Trips home to Mobile were long and only accomplished on mostly two lane US Hwy routes. This hardly allowed for return trips to Mobile.
Hazel and Donald welcomed their first child, Ronald, while stationed at DMAFB, in 1953. With their service commitment up in 1954, and a bit homesick, the young couple separated from service and returned to Mobile. Soon they were welcoming the second child, John, in 1955; and soon afterwards purchasing a new home in a newly developing area of western Chickasaw. Becoming long time residents of Chickasaw, they welcomed their third son, Philip, in 1957, then in 1963 and still before the age of 30, Hazel delivered their only daughter, Sonya.
Hazel supported her veteran husband and VFW Post 153 Officer. This while facing increasing demands of raising the children at home. Paper routes started with one son in 1966, then two, and by 1967 the third. With daily demands of seeing the boys delivering the Mobile Press-Register to the majority of western Chickasaw until 1976; an impressive 10 years dealing with kids out in all kinds of weather and all too often coming home wet and muddy from dirt streets.
With the kids reaching the high school years, it was no easier as the paper routes continued with new activities starting with kids now joining the Vigor High School Band. Hazel and Donald were band boosters and chaperones spanning 1970-1980; battling weather, transportation, and supervision for hundreds of students at football games, Mardi Gras parades and other band activities.
Ties to Satsuma were established in 1964. With intent to build on new property, but Donald was struck with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and an associated spinal paralysis in 1969. This disabled Donald while Hazel managed two teen sons, a pre-teen son, and a pre-school daughter. School, paper routes, and meals never suffered while Hazel worried for a cure for Donald that didn’t exist at that time. Without a cure but with much fortune Donald recovered without paralysis, but plans of building in Satsuma became cost prohibitive…until the empty nest no longer demanded the increased space originally desired. However, Donald’s parents did build and retire in Satsuma.
With the nest empty of their child, Hazel provided personal child care for multiple children over time, but also provided summer day care for kids enrolled in the Chickasaw Summer Youth Programs. She later provided in home senior care for two aging mothers, then later caring for them under hospice care, staying with Hazel and Donald. A while after the passing of Donald’s parents, Donald and Hazel became residents of Satsuma.
However in 2009 Donald himself passed. Hazel continued to enjoy senior outings provided by the City of Satsuma for medical, groceries, and monthly restaurant trips. She often assisted with times and attendance, encouraging other seniors, especially for the restaurant trips where others often looked for her to set the location, time and cuisine. She enjoyed the community and personally sponsored a seniors Christmas party to show her appreciation for fellow seniors and community workers.
Finding an abandoned kitten in the front yard azaleas, September 2022, Hazel quickly learned to enjoy the company of a Maine Coon orange mackerel tabby kitten. While enjoying the kittens energy, cuddles, and his playful antics, she had concerns of his possible abandonment from those expressing interest in adopting Tiger. Soon the attachment placed Tiger firmly within the residence as a permanent member. Hazel enjoyed watching and interacting with this energetic bundle. She petted and rubbed her Tiger even as her own awareness was fading. At one year old and with Hazel no longer aware, Tiger still enjoyed slipping into her room and into her bed to lay with her.
Likewise, in lieu of flowers we think mom would rather appreciate consideration of donation to the Saraland Pet Rescue. She stated strongly that Tiger was precious and she wouldn't give him up for twice all that she had spent for his care. She had kept him out of fear that those interested in adopting would not stay committed and Tiger might have been surrendered later or abandoned to a lesser chance at life. With this and other similar stories we ask that you please consider adopting or giving a donation to help the shelter in Saraland extend their 10 year span of no euthanasia.
DECEMBER 6, 1934 – AUGUST 26, 2023
Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Radney Funeral Home in Saraland on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the service hour. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens.
