Edith McBride Bass

April 28,1932-September 5,2020

Edie/Mom/Granny was born with bells on. She grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois with her parents, the late Walter Paul and Claire Childs McBride, and her siblings, Jean McBride Greene of Lake Forest and John Paul McBride of Snowmass, Colorado. She attended The Bell School in Lake Forest and her high school years were spent at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut. She then went on to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Her formative years were filled with grand opportunities yet she never lost sight of the true meaning of love and kindness.

Edie came to Nashville in 1955 when she married the late Jack M. Bass, jr. She dove into making life long friends, entertaining and volunteering, all in between raising her six children and driving thousands of miles getting them to their next activity and never forgetting to pick them up. She was quite busy considering her five daughters were born within six years of each other, and her son came along seven years later.

Edie’s joie de vivre was all encompassing. She had friends from all over but especially in her Nashville community. She remembered everyone’s birthday with a funny card and would always write a thank-you note. She had a photographic memory for people’s telephone numbers. One friend wrote, “When you looked in Edie’s eyes, you knew she was listening to every word you said, and she made you feel like you were the only person in the world- a rare trait that made everyone she touched feel special. “ We are all so lucky to have had Edie in our lives.

When Edie made a commitment to a cause she believed in, she was all in. Her foremost dedication was to The Ensworth School which all of her children and most of her grandchildren attended. She served several terms as a board member beginning in 1964 and she became a Permanent Trustee in 2001. Edie was present at every board meeting, fundraiser, sporting event and music program. She was genuinely interested in childhood education and found it fascinating to watch Ensworth grow and develop into the institution that it is today.

Edie was also devoted to Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. Jane MacLeod,President/CEO of Cheekwood wrote, “Edie was one of Cheekwood’s earliest supporters whose membership dates to January 6, 1959, preceding even the public opening of Cheekwood. During her decades of service, she touched Cheekwood in so many ways, from serving as Swan Ball co-chair in 1970 (and many Swan Ball committees thereafter) to active participation in the Garden Club of Nashville with its many contributions to the Howe Garden, and in recent years as an Honorary Trustee who made every effort to attend every meeting. Edie was kind, thoughtful, compassionate, genuine and 100 percent dedicated to Cheekwood. “

Edie was a charter board member of STARS (Students Taking a Right Stand) and served on its board for over 30 years. She also sat on the boards of Planned Parenthood, Alive Hospice,The Cancer Society, Park Center and Miss Porter’s School where she was honored with the Daisy Pin, the school’s highest award for volunteer service. She received countless recognitions for her loyal support. Edie was a founding co-chair of Once in A Blue Moon for the Land Trust of Tennessee and co- chaired The Symphony Ball and The MS Gala. She was a congregant of First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Garden Club of Nashville (50 years) and the Deer Park Garden Club.

Edie is preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Claire McBride Bass and she is survived by her loving children, Leslie McKinney Bass, Meredith Bass Nelson (Charles), Lisa Bass Foote, Jean Maddin Bass and Jack Maddin Bass III. She was adored by her grandchildren, Richard Sutton Bull, IV, Wilkes McKinney Bull, Charles Nelson IV, Maddin McBride Nelson, Douglass Gordon Foote III, Spencer Clifton Foote, Mason Bass Foote, Savannah Rhea Solomon, Jackson Keeler Solomon, Polly McBride Bass, Edith Mercer Bass and Jack Maddin Bass IV.

The family would like to thank Sheila Royster for her loving care and commitment to Mom/Granny as well as Sydnei Bond and Sherron Heyward.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Edie’s memory may be made to The Ensworth School, Cheekwood or the charity of one’s choice.

A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, November 26, 2020 at two o'clock in the afternoon.

To join this service via Facebook Live, please click the "Join Livestream" link or visit our Facebook page @ MountOlivetFuneralHome