Mrs. Dorothy Canty Bass

Mrs. Dorothy Canty Bass, 96, transitioned Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services for Mrs. Dorothy Bass will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday March 2, 2013 at St. Matthews Episcopal Church located 1401 MLK Jr. Blvd in Savannah, GA.




- SAVANNAH - Mrs. Dorothy Canty Bass passed away at home on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 after a long illness. She was born in Savannah on December 19, 1916 to the late Rev. David and Maggie Canty. She was preceded in death by her sisters Irma Canty, Vernedia Canty Johnson, and Lula Canty Davis.


Dorothy, a native Savannahian educated in the Savannah Chatham County Public Schools, was a 1934 graduate of Beach-Cuyler High School . She received her BS degree from Saint Paul 's College of Lawrenceville , Virginia in 1936, and a BS ED from Brooklyn College , Brooklyn , New York in 1944. She also received a MA Ed from Long Island University , Brooklyn , New York in 1977. Upon graduation from Saint Paul 's she worked briefly as a teacher in the Tattnall County Public School System. After moving to Brooklyn , New York , Dorothy was united in holy matrimony to Mr. James F. Bass, Sr., in 1945. To this union two sons were born, Hon. James F. Bass, Jr., and Kevin A. Bass. The family moved from Brooklyn , NY to Flushing , NY in 1953. Her husband, James F. Bass, Sr., and son Kevin A. Bass preceded her in death in 1993 and 1992 respectively.
Dorothy worked as a Probation Officer/Court Administrator in the Family Court of New York, New York from April 29, 1952 until May 5, 1979. Upon retirement she returned home to Savannah , Georgia and lived until her passing.


Dorothy 's church activities included several years of leadership on the Vestry as a warden and senior warden of the St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, and the St. Mary's Guild. She was known for her fund raising activities that included the procurement of the Rockaway Revue, and entertainment troupe of senior citizens, whose performances generated revenue for the remodeling and expansion of the church parish.
Dorothy, a Life member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., served the Sorority in several positions on the local, state, regional, and national levels. Dorothy was Basileus of Alpha Theta Chapter, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Savannah , Georgia from 1982-1986. Under Dorothy's leadership the Stork Nest Program was established in Savannah which provided pre-natal services and infant supplies to expectant young mothers. This program was a joint activity of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the March of Dimes Program. She also assisted in establishing the Pan-Hellenic Council of Savannah which encourages cooperation and participation in activities among the African American Greek letter college fraternities and sororities.
Dorothy's community and civic services included Life membership of NAACP, early supporter of the Ralph Martin Gilbert Museum . She was also recognized as one of the first responders of Chatham County Victim Witness Program, and played a leading role in local fund raising events for the United Negro College Fund. For many years, she also served on the Board of Directors of the May Street YMCA and the Heart Association of Savannah. She was a member of Top Ladies of Distinction. Dorothy also enjoyed playing cards and was a member of LOP's card organization.



Memories of her life are cherished by her family and friends. She leaves to mourn her death a loving and devoted son, Hon. James F. Bass, Jr., daughter-in-law, Dr. Janice Green Bass, and grandson, James F. Bass III of Savannah, GA; two sisters-in-law, Juanita Bass of Stamford, CT and Mamie Buncamper of Brooklyn, NY; nephews, Dr. Melvin N. (Dr. Marcelite) Johnson of Hilton Head, SC and Mr. Rod ney (Sharon) Bass of Stamford, CT; nieces, Janice Johnson of Savannah, GA, Shelia Garvin of Atlanta, GA, Vaneisa Benjamin of Atlanta, GA, Avonne (Thomas) Lovell of Lake Wales, FL, Diane Buncamper of Georgetown, SC, Richard (Maria) Buncamper of Pearl River, NY, Wanda Buncamper of New York, NY, Lisa Bryant of Brooklyn, NY; a special family Mr. William (Lena) Green, Sr., of Savannah, GA, Mrs. Angela (Paul) Lewis of Statesboro, GA, Mrs. Patricia (Bonnie) Sharpe of Savannah, GA, Ms. Betty Green of Savannah, GA, Mr. William Green, Jr., of Handover, MD, Mr. Craig Green of Savannah, GA, a host of other great and great-great-nephews and nieces, relatives and friends. Special friends included Mrs. Laura Truell Valentine, Mrs. Ida Luten and Ms. Darnell Walker.


***In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be sent to HOSPICE Savannah or St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in honor of Dorothy Canty Bass.







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