Ila Bass Purgason

Ila Bass Purgason, age 94, of Greensboro, North Carolina, passed away on May 19, 2026.

Born on September 8, 1931, in Spring Hope, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Bollie Nick Bass and Mary Frances Sykes Bass. As the only girl among seven children, Ila enjoyed her unique position in the family, playfully claiming it was the reason she liked all sports.

A woman of deep faith, Ila loved her Lord, her family, and her church. She prayed daily, and by name, for each member of her family and every church member, mentally walking up and down the aisles to bring each of them to the Throne.

She met the love of her life, Harold “Perk” Purgason, at church in their youth group. The two were married at Spring Garden Friends Meeting in a traditional Quaker wedding, standing at the end of the Worship Service to take their vows. Together, she and Perk decided she would be a full-time homemaker and mother, a role she relished as it allowed her to love and care for her family and friends.

Ila was widely known for her deep love of her family. She was also an active member of her church, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School while serving in many other areas of church life. She spent the last 25 years of her life at Trinity Church, where she loved everyone and was well-loved in return. Her powerful legacy of love will carry on in the lives of all who knew her.

Ila was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Harold L. “Perk” Purgason, her beloved son, H. Lee Purgason, her parents, Bollie Nick Bass and Mary Sykes Bass, and five brothers, JW Bass, Maurice Bass, Clinton Bass, Earl Bass, and Bill Bass. Ila is survived by one brother, Pete Bass, her daughter, Linda (Randy) Foushee, grandchildren W. Lane Foushee, Diana (Andrew) Cole, Cara (Raul) Carrillo, David Purgason, and the newest joys of her life, great-grandson Weston and great-granddaughter Charlie.

A service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Trinity Church, located at 5200 West Friendly Ave, Greensboro, NC. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM, and the service will immediately follow at 2:00 PM. Ila will be buried at Guilford Memorial Park. Memorial contributions can be made in her honor to Trinity Church.

Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel is honored to serve the Purgason family.