Cora Elizabeth Bass
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and wife, Cora Elizabeth Bass, 89. She departed this life on January 4th, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born February 17, 1936, in Dyess Colony, AR to parents Eligie Pardon & Jewel Handley Pardon of Tiller, AR. She was married to her husband of 67 years, Grover H. Bass, who passed June 26, 2021.
Elizabeth is one of five children and is survived by one brother Edward Pardon of Eudora, AR; three daughters, Becky McDermott and Gary of Hope, AR; Ramona Kyles and Steve of Texarkana, AR; Jane Collums and Jeff of Hope, AR; and one son, Grover Ray Bass and Christene of Thornton, CO. She had five grandchildren, Deanna Ballard, Brandi Ballard, Meghan Quinn, Emily Thomason, and Jake Collums along with eight great grandchildren, and five great great grandchildren, and one special best friend Sandy Henley.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers, Wyandol Pardon of Wilmot, AR, Wayne Pardon of Hope, AR; and one sister, Alice Jean Walker of Wilmot, AR.
At Desha Central School in Rohwer, AR, she was class Queen, class President, and played on the Hornets basketball team. She enjoyed reading, sports, animals, Bingo, and collecting nicknacks. Along with her husband, she farmed chickens, raised cattle, gardened, and cared for stray animals. She won the VFW Bingo Halloween Costume contest for three years in a row.
She was a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church of Nashville, AR and was Sunday School Teacher at Southside Baptist church in McGehee, AR. She moved around southern Arkansas with her husband who had worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a graveside service celebrating Elizabeth Bass’s life at 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Westmoreland Cemetery, Hempstead 208, Crossroads, AR with Brother John Nations officiating. Burial will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Hope for Paws in Hope, AR, Carol Robinson, 2858 Hwy 174 South, Hope, AR 71801 reflecting Elizabeth’s lifelong love for animals.
Elizabeth will be deeply missed, but her spirit and kindness will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.