Nancy Moody Bass

Born on February 20, 1936, in Lexington, NC, Nancy was the daughter of George Thomas Moody and Harriett Scroggs Moody. After graduating from Clemmons High School in 1954, she went to Greensboro College, earning a bachelor's degree in Music Education in 1958.

Nancy married Lionel Demming Bass, Jr., also known as "Rip" to friends and family, on June 6, 1964, in Clemmons, NC. They were happily married for 53 years until Rip's passing in 2017. A highlight of Nancy's life was raising her two children, Meredith and Demming, where she taught them about the importance of faith, family, hard work, and service to others. Her children remember her as an active, engaged, and loving mother who always encouraged them to pursue their goals, hopes, and dreams while placing their faith at the forefront of their lives.

Nancy was also a devoted MeeMa, and her grandchildren were the light of her life. She was a faithful presence at school productions, sporting events, concerts, and graduations. Nancy especially loved sitting with the grandchildren at her piano, teaching them some basic tunes. She also enjoyed dancing the Carolina shag, reading novels, and following and cheering on ACC basketball.

Nancy spent her early career as a music teacher in North Carolina and Maryland. She taught in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System for more than a decade. Later she worked with her husband in developing and growing the L.D. Bass, Jr. Nationwide Insurance Agency.

Nancy was a leader. During the 1970s, she was active in improving local education and involved in local and statewide politics with Rip. She was a leading figure in rallying families and the community to create Charlotte's first "Traditional" K-6 magnet program at Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School in 1977. And she was instrumental in Ronald Reagan's first state primary upset of President Gerald Ford during Reagan's 1976 presidential run, being featured on the cover of The Charlotte Observer under the headline, "N.C. Hands Reagan Upset Victory."

As dedicated members of Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Huntersville, NC, Nancy and Rip loved sharing the history of the church and the Hopewell community. Nancy was also active in the Hopewell Joy Group.

Nancy is survived by her children, Meredith Bass Owens of Newton, NC, and Lionel Demming Bass, III of Marietta, GA; grandchildren, Blake Joyner Lewis, Ashley Demming Bass, and Reagan Caroline Bass; in-laws, nieces, nephews, and grandnieces.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at McEwen Funeral Service - Charlotte Chapel located at 5716 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212, followed by a celebration of Nancy's life from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Nancy will be interred with her late husband at Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Nancy's memory to the Aldersgate United Methodist Retirement Community Residents Assistance fund. Contributing to this fund allows you to support Aldersgate residents who experience financial hardship through no fault of their own. Donations can be made by check or money order payable to Aldersgate (mailed to 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215) or on their website at https://aldersgateliving.org/philanthropy/donate/. Donations may also be sent to the Alzheimer's Association - Western Carolina Chapter at www.alz.org/northcarolina.