September 24, 1951 ~ September 19, 2023 (age 71)
Beloved wife, mother, nana, sister, friend and educator, Lola Kaye Garrell Bass [71], of Chadbourn, NC, passed away on September 19, 2023 at the Angel House Hospice Center surrounded by her family, following an extended illness.
Lola was born on September 24, 1951, in Whiteville, NC to E.L. and Violet Garrell. As the oldest of five children, she was a much loved big sister. Lola graduated from Whiteville High School before obtaining her AA from Southeastern Community College, and her BS in Education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. As a working teacher and mother of two, she later completed her Master of Education from the University of South Carolina.
Lola met the love of her life, Chadborn native Larry Bass, when both were high school seniors cruising downtown Whiteville. “When you know you know,” they said and they eloped on September 27, 1969 – just three days after her 18th birthday. They remained devoted and loving life partners for nearly 54 years.
Lola loved reading books, taking and cataloging pictures, cultivating and taking care of plants, and campers by the water. But her favorite things were not things at all, but her “people”. She and Larry couldn’t wait to start a family, and their daughter Lori Bass Gelezinsky (Barry) arrived in 1972 followed by their son Larry Eric Bass (Ginger) in 1975. She loved her children and their spouses unconditionally, but the ones who really had her heart were her grandchildren, Brady Chance Gelezinsky, followed by Erica Jade Bass, Layla Gelezinsky Fonvielle (Caleb) , Coleman Blake Bass and finally her great grandson Easton Hunter Fonvielle.
Lola had a tremendous gift for teaching and became a mentor to other educators. She spent 26 years in the classroom as “everyone’s favorite teacher.” She loved her students and co-workers at Chadbourn Middle School and eventually became the Academically and Intellectually Gifted Specialist for Columbus County Schools. She was also voted teacher of the year by her peers on numerous occasions and was named 1996 Columbus County Teacher of the Year.
In addition to her beloved husband, children and grandchildren, Lola also leaves behind her sisters Lynn Whitesell (Mark) of Wilmington, Grace Mishoe of Whiteville, and brother Mike Garrell (Terri) of Cheraw. She was predeceased by her parents E.L. and Violet Garrell, her sister Miriam Garrell Prince (Bill) of Tabor City, and her niece Farrah Prince also of Tabor City.
Lola will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her. Visitation will be held at Worthington Funeral Home in Chadbourn at 1:00 p.m. Thursday September 21, 2023 followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Angel House Hospice Care Center (lifecare.org) in Whiteville, NC
