Mobile Educator, Laura Sue Botter Bass, age 95, of Mobile, Alabama passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2022. Sue was born in Birmingham, Alabama on October 23, 1927, to the late Harold Robert and Ethel Agnes Ellisor Botter. Mrs. Bass was an active member of Spring Hill Avenue Methodist Church after joining the church in 1934. In addition to chairing many committees, she served as a youth teacher and counselor, directed children's and youth choirs, and was a member of the Chancel Choir for many years; joining in 1941. An alumnus of Murphy High School, the University of South Alabama and Florida State University, Mrs. Bass also attended Auburn University, where she was a active in the first women's sports and choral programs, a member of the rifle team, and obtained a private pilot's license. Mrs. Bass was one of the first female pilots in Mobile and was licensed to fly seven types of aircraft. After working for the Morris Timbes and Howard Barney advertising agencies from 1948 to 1968, Mrs. Bass became an English instructor at FSU and then returned to Mobile and joined the Mobile County Public School System. A strong proponent of gifted child education, Mrs. Bass taught at Murphy, John LeFlore Magnet, and Vigor High Schools. She also worked briefly at five elementary schools, establishing the first gifted program for black students and identifying other bright youth at eight high schools. While obtaining three educational certificates at USA between 1970 and 1984, Mrs. Bass was selected to represent the local school system in Egypt and was awarded two NEH scholarships to colleges in Oregon and Vermont. From 1987 to 1998, she awarded scholarships to high school students in Mobile and Nicaragua. In 1995, Mrs. Bass worked in Nicaragua as an Academic Advisor for the University of Mobile LAC and then returned to Mobile to begin teaching English at the University of South Alabama. She served as an Adjunct Professor there from 1996 for many years. At the time of her death, she had also completed two screenplays and edited many others for friends. Mrs. Bass is survived by one son, the Rev. Rayford (Ray) T. Bass (Anna), one first cousin, John Legrant (Susan), cousin, Steve Ellisor (Mariann), along with extended family members and many wonderful friends. A visitation for Sue will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 12:00 PM until time of service at 1:00 PM at Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama 36606, with Micah Wright officiating. Interment will immediately follow in Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 6110 Three Notch Road, Mobile, Alabama 36619. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com for the Bass family.
October 23, 1927 – December 1, 2022
A visitation for Sue will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 12:00 PM until time of service at 1:00 PM at Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama 36606, with Micah Wright officiating.
