February 26, 2024, 88, Lucama —

Royce Bass, 88, of Lucama passed away Monday, February 26, 2024. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Kenly Funeral Service, 103 E 2nd St., Kenly, NC. A graveside service will be held at the Bass Family Cemetery officiated by Rev. De Wayne Eakes and Pastor Kelley Smart.

Royce was born in Black Creek, North Carolina on January 21, 1936. He was the son of the late Addie Bass and Lucraty Watson Bass. He attended Lucama High School. Royce proudly served in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea. He became a welder by trade and worked hard throughout his life to provide for his family. Together, he and his wife started two successful businesses, Bass Welding Service and Bass Grocery.

Royce was a loving husband, Dad, and Grandpa. Given his humble upbringing, he always had a passion for helping others in need. Over the years, he shared his home with several family members. He also regularly drove friends and acquaintances to their appointments across the State. He loved to travel and made several cross-country trips with his wife and their friends.

Royce loved to bring everybody together evidenced by the many pig pickins and family gatherings that he and Sue hosted. He prided himself on his wood-fired barbeque that was cooked on grills and stoves that he had built.

Royce instilled in his children the love of family, the virtue of honesty, and the value of hard work.

Royce is survived by his children, Shelton Bass and wife Dawn of Sanford, Ronald Bass and wife Kathy of Columbia, SC, and Teresa Penninger of La Grande, OR. He had seven grandchildren: Christy Edmondson, Randy Bass, Katie Nobleman, Bailey Penninger, Weston Penninger, Tyler Bass, and, Abby Bass. He had six great-grandchildren: Conner Bass, Colten Bass, Rachel Bass, Anakin Bass, Elizabeth Edmondson, and Louis Edmondson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Sue Bass, his sisters, Pearl Hamner, Lydia Watkins, Cleo Bass, and Margie Moss and his brothers, Autry Bass, Pierpon Bass, and Fuquay “Pap” Bass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made In Memory Of Royce Bass to:

Robert B. Anderson
American Legion Post 13
PO Box 3065
Wilson, NC 27895

Services have been entrusted to Kenly Funeral Service.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.kenlyfs.com.