Loretta Rose DeRaimo Bass of Beckley, WV, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2021, at the age of 84. Loretta was born on December 15, 1936, in the coal camp of Notomine, WV. Born to Louis and Clara DeRaimo, she was the eldest of four children.
Loretta was married to James (Jack) Leroy Bass for 64 years. Jack first spotted Loretta when he was in the third grade, and they began dating while Jack was in the Navy and they were married on October 14, 1956. After leaving the Navy, they moved to West Virginia, where they planted roots and began to grow their family.
While most knew her as Loretta, those she loved most call her Mom or Mamaw. She took that role seriously, devoting her life to raising her kids, and then grandkids. If you ask any of her six kids, 18 grandkids, or 12 great-grandchildren, they will tell you that she was strict, but fun; hard, but also the most loving a woman could be. Each family member can tell a different story of what they loved most about her: her cooking, her smile, her love of music, her love of travel, her impeccable penmanship, her sarcasm, or the way she kept every single gift she received and displayed it as if it were her favorite. And while each may have a different favorite memory, they all share the same storyline, her loving them unconditionally. Her home has always been filled with family, food, and love.
Loretta was tough as nails. She beat cancer two times and always lived life her own way. She spent her days doing the things she loved, watching crime dramas, enjoying good food (especially lemon desserts), playing word games, and sitting on the porch watching the birds, her favorite being the hummingbirds. She was always present for the special moments in the lives of those who loved her most, graduations, weddings, births, and family celebrations.
Loretta, Mom, Mamaw, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Crazy Old Woman, or Friend. Whatever you may have called her, know she will be loved forever and missed more than words can express.
Loretta is preceded in death by her parents Louis and Clara DeRaimo. She is survived by her husband James (Jack) Leroy Bass, her children James (Susie) Bass, Robert (Jennifer) Bass, Dianna (Junior) Perrine, Elizabeth (Greg) Howell, Thomas (Jody) Bass, Michael (Andrea) Bass, her 18 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, and her siblings Jimmy DeRaimo, Susan DeRaimo Cox, and Randy DeRaimo.
We are asking in lieu of flowers that donations be to the Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa Florida 33612, 888-663-3488 or Hospice of Southern West Virginia, 454 Cranberry Dr., Beckley, WV, 25801
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