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Greenhill Cemetery

Muskogee, Muskogee County, OK

© Muskogee Phoenix
August 25, 2008
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Barbara Jean (Nelson) Bass

April 27, 1925 ~ August 24, 2008

Barbara Jean Bass, 83, died Sunday, August 24, 2008 at her home in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She was born April 27, 1925 in Muskogee, to Hardin and Ruth (Shirley) Nelson. Barbara attended Central High School where she was the Homecoming Queen in 1941.

She married Joe K. Bass on October 21, 1944 in Muskogee. Barbara and Joe were associated with Nelson Furniture Co. for 13 years. The following seven years they owned and operated Joe Bass Home Furnishings in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In 1966 they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas and continued in the furniture business. They opened the Ethan Allen Carriage House which was the fifth store to open in the United States. Barbara and Joe opened other stores in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Texarkana, Texas.

While living in Little Rock, Barbara and Joe were active in Thoroughbred Horse Racing, and were members of the Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders Association where they served on the Board of Trustees until 1990. Barbara and Joe maintained their home on their ranch, Springwood Farm, in Bonnerdale, Arkansas. Barbara moved back to Muskogee following her husbands death in 1990 to be closer to family and friends.

She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. Barbara enjoyed traveling, playing Bridge and having a toddy for her body. She loved her family and friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joe K. Bass; daughter, Terry Jean Noble; and sisters, Shirley Clark Robinson and Sue Head.

She is survived by two sons, Tom Bass of Newport Beach, California and Joe H. Bass and his wife, Sharron, of Little Rock; grandchildren, Kimberly Noble, John Noble, Scott Bass, Mark Bass, Heather Neilson, Joel Bass, Meagan Bass, Holly Bujarski and Beau Bass and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul United Methodist Church's Rowsey Chapel in Muskogee. Pallbearers will be Beau Bass, Ed Clark, Warren Wagner, Greg Czaruk, Nelson Head, Ward Wagner, Tom Wagner and Mike Clark. Honorary pallbearers are George Shimoon, Joe Basolo, Joe Pat Farrell and Johnny O'Malley.

Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home.