Margaret Ione Smith Bass, age 84, of Momeyer, NC died peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Trinity Elms Assisted Living in Clemmons, NC.

Margaret was born on August 5, 1930 in Greensboro, NC to the late Molly Kornegay and Harley Burton Smith. She graduated from B.F. Grady High School in Duplin County and Park View Hospital School of Nursing in Rocky Mount as a Registered Nurse. She later continued her medical training at Emory University to become one of the first Nurse Practitioners in NC. She retired from the Nash County Health Department in 1995 after 26 years of service as a Family Planning Nurse Practitioner. She also used her nursing skills to care for family, friends and neighbors. She was the primary caregiver for Charles during his years of poor health, and loved to spend a week with each newborn grandchild as they came along. It was not unusual for others in the community to come to her for medical advice and assistance, and she was always ready to help.

In addition to her profession as a nurse, Margaret was a busy farmer's wife; involved in the tobacco farming as well as canning and freezing the delicious vegetables from the garden. She was a fabulous cook with some of the favorite family dishes being fried chicken, stewed corn, and chicken salad made with her special sweet cucumber pickles. Thanksgiving was celebrated every year at "Grandpa and Grandbubba's house" in Momeyer, and she would cook for days to provide a huge, delicious meal. It was also a family tradition that she prepared all the special "goodies" for Christmas.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Charles Lindbergh Bass, and her brother, Ryan Elbert Smith, Sr.

Margaret is survived by daughters, Alva Ann Bass of Stanfield and Jennifer Bass Dunn of Winston-Salem; sister, Mary Cornelia Keene of Four Oaks; step-sister, Peggy Smith Caudill of Lancaster, SC; four grand-children, Teresa Moore of Winston-Salem, Margaret Bowen of Oak Island, Thomas Moore (Jennifer)of Boiling Spring Lakes, and Stephen Dunn (Heather)of Christiansted, St. Croix, VI; four great-grandchildren, Maggie Bowen, Daniel Greenfield, Mary Moore, and Jacob Moore; one great-great grandchild, Cassidy Harrelson and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will greet friends on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 from 6:30 PM until 8:30 PM at Momeyer Baptist Church, located at 4967 Momeyer Way, Nashville, NC 27856.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Momeyer Baptist Church with interment following at Forrest Hills Cemetery in Nashville, NC.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the dedicated staff of Piedmont Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Carecenter of Winston-Salem, and Trinity Elms Assisted Living for their loving care and support of Margaret and her family during these last weeks. They also wish to express sincere appreciation to all the special friends, neighbors and church family for their visits, prayers, meals and thoughtful assistance during Margaret's illness.

Flowers will be accepted. Memorials can be made to Momeyer Baptist Church, 4967 Momeyer Way, Nashville, NC 27856 or to Trinity Elms, 3750 Harper Road, Clemmons, NC 27012.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Funerals and Cremations, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount, NC.

Paid obituary