Dorris Parker Bassett

Dorris Parker Bassett, a devoted Christian woman of God, quietly transitioned from earth to her heavenly reward on Friday, November 29, 2024 at 7:20 pm in Houston, Texas. Dorris was born on October 5, 1934 in Plaquemine, Louisiana and was a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge until she relocated to Houston, Texas in October of 2021. She was baptized into the Christian faith in 1949 at The Greater Beulah Baptist Church where she remained, most recently under the leadership of Pastor Michael D. Mallet until she relocated. When she relocated to Houston, she affiliated with the Cornerstone Community Church ("C3") under the leadership of Dr. Calvin J. McFadden, Sr. She attended The Blundon School and later matriculated through the East Baton Rouge Parish Schools until her graduation from McKinley High School in the Class of 1953. Dorris went on to graduate from Southern University in 1957 with a BA in English and Social Studies. She attained a master's degree in 1964 as well as a Thirty Plus Hours designation (30+ Hours Above) in 1979 from Louisiana State University and Southern University, and then obtained graduate fellowships at the Univ. of California at Berkeley and Bowling Green State University-Ohio, as well as achieving various other certifications in administration and higher education. Dorris was a retired educator who began her career in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System as a classroom teacher and advanced to the position of Section Administrator with the Louisiana State Dept. of Education, where she remained until her retirement in 1993. Dorris engaged in numerous civic and Christian affiliated activities and organizations. She was a member and past president, secretary and treasurer of The East Baton Rouge Fourth District Women's Auxiliary; She was a member, Mission Class teacher and Mission Coordinator for The Fourth District Women's Auxiliary; Dorris served as past Worthy Matron, secretary and treasurer for The Pride of Baton Rouge #115 of The Order of The Eastern Star and member of The Phyllis Chapter, former member of The National Council of Negro Women and Deputy Voting Commissioner for EBR Parish; She also served her church of many years, The Greater Beulah Baptist Church, as secretary of the church's Trustee Ministry, in the church choir, working as Sunday School teacher for over twenty-five years, as well as as the Director of The Vacation Bible School for many years. Dorris life was a testament to service and commitment to Christ. As recently as this summer, on the precipice of her ninetieth (90th) birthday), Dorris volunteered as a Vacation Bible School teacher for children ages 7 to 11 in her church, Cornerstone Community Church of Houston (C3), and she was also an active member of the C3 GEM's Senior Ministry, bringing a bible-based lesson to the group earlier this year. She leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved daughter, Vanetia Wetherspoon Johnson (Victor) Houston, Texas); two granddaughters Natalie Nicole Wetherspoon of League City, Texas, Kayci Wetherspoon Johnson (Brandon) Dallas, Texas; two brothers, Morris Joseph Parker, Jr. (Geneva) Baton Rouge and Steven M. Parker (Jewel) Austin, Texas; one sister, Lola Jackson (Johnny) Baton Rouge, Louisiana; three nephews, Ronnie W. Parker (Doretha) Houston, Texas, Morris Joseph Parker, III of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Larry F. Parker (Stephanie) Baker, Louisiana; a cousin "like a daughter" Connie Hilton (Frederick) Baton Rouge, and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins in New Orleans, LA., Mansfield, La., Houston, Texas, Dallas, Texas, Omaha, Nebraska, Richmond, Virginia, Little Rock, AK, and numerous treasured friends. She is preceded in death by her beloved son, Wendell Albert Wetherspoon, her parents, Reverend Morris Joseph Parker, Sr., and Reveller Roberston Parker, maternal grandparents Mamie and Archille Robertson, paternal grandparents Robert and Jane Parker, an infant sister Virgie, and two sisters, Janice L. Parker Theiss (Mike) and Mildred L. Parker Cressell. Celebration of Life Services will be held at Cornerstone Community Church 8200 Westglen Dr. Houston, Texas 77069 on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 1 pm with Visitation at 12 noon, Christian Committal Service will be held at Green Oaks Funeral Home Chapel 9595 Florida Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA. 70815 on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 11 am with Visitation at 10 am. Interment in Southern Memorial Gardens in Baton Rouge, LA.