Dorris Parker Bassett

Dorris Parker Bassett, a devoted woman of God, quietly “slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God,” after a brief illness on Friday, November 29,2024 at 7:20 pm in Houston, Texas.

Dorris was one of a set of twins born to parents Reverend Morris Joseph Parker, Sr. and Reveller Robertson Parker in Plaquemine, Louisiana on October 5, 1934. She was baptized into the Christian faith in 1949 at The Greater Beulah Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful and active member for seventy-five years, most recently under the leadership of Pastor Michael D. Mallet. When she relocated to Houston in October of 2021, she later affiliated with the Cornerstone Community Church (“C3”) under the leadership of Dr. Calvin J. McFadden, Sr.

Dorris, along with her parents and family, relocated from Iberville Parish to Baton Rouge at approximately six years old. She was a product of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, having attended The Blundon School, then later graduating from McKinley Senior High School in May of 1953. Upon graduation, Dorris entered Southern University and A&M College where she graduated with a BA in English and Social Studies. It was at Southern University that she met and later married Albert Wetherspoon of Baton Rouge, LA. To this union, two children were born—Vanetia Karyl Wetherspoon and Wendell Albert Wetherspoon (deceased). Concurrently, during this period when her family was young, Dorris then began her career as an educator, first starting out as a classroom teacher in the East Baton Rouge (EBR) Parish School System.

Dorris returned to further graduate study at Southern University and in 1964 obtained a master’s degree in education. She went on to do graduate fellowship work in sociology at the University of California at Berkeley in 1965, graduate fellowship work at Bowling Green State University in Ohio in 1973 and then completed another Thirty Plus Hours (30+ hours) Certification in Comprehensive Studies: Civil Service Rules and Regulation and Office Administration and Management from Louisiana State University/Southern University in 1979. In 1980 Dorris obtained her Certification in Supervision and Administration. Not a Christian to be focused solely on secular education, Dorris entered the Capital City Religious Institute of Baton Rouge and obtained a bachelor’s degree in theology in 1990.

Dorris’ prolific educational background served as the springboard for her professional advancements. Her career continued to advance over the span of approximately thirty-six (36) years. From classroom teacher and concurrent adult education teacher in a night reading program for adults, she was promoted in the school system to the position of Parish-wide Reading Consultant/Specialist, overseeing teachers in the parish in the area of developmental and remedial reading. Due to her significant achievement in her positions in East Baton Rouge Parish, Dorris was selected to advance to the state level and join the Louisiana State Department of Education where she worked in the role of Education Specialist, responsible for writing and implementing the Louisiana Plan for The Education and Consolidation Improvement Act—Chapter II Program. She went on to be promoted again to Section Administrator, providing guidance and coordination for Title II and Chapter II and Louisiana’s Drug Free Schools & Communities Federal Program and its funding for approximately twelve years, frequently interfacing with the US Department of Education and legislators on Capitol Hill, until her retirement in 1993. Not one to rest on her laurels and as one who had worked since she was fifteen years old, Dorris continued to find joy in education and working with children. As a result, she went “back to her roots” after retirement—teaching at God’s Way Christian Academy and The Brighter Horizon School as an instructor of English and Social Studies, until she chose to “fully retire” in 2009.

Upon retirement, not one to be satisfied with the “quiet life,” Dorris engaged in a host of civic and Christian affiliated activities and organizations. She was a member of The East Baton Rouge Fourth District Women’s Auxiliary, for which she served as president, secretary and treasurer; She was a member, Mission Class teacher and Mission Coordinator for The Fourth District Women’s Auxiliary; She served as secretary, treasurer and past Worthy Matron for The Pride of Baton Rouge #115 of The Order of The Eastern Star, and member of The Phyllis Chapter; former member of The National Council of Negro Women and Deputy Voting Commissioner for EBR Parish; She also served her church tirelessly as secretary of the church’s Trustee Ministry, Sunday School teacher of the adult class in her church for over twenty-five years, as well as the Director of The Vacation Bible School for many years.

Dorris was also eventually able to take time and “smell the roses “and engage in her favorite pastimes such ceramics and pottery, sewing, gardening, cooking and even learning to swim as an adult, as well as traveling to scores of destinations across the country, as well as internationally. In any endeavor, she NEVER lost the zeal to learn. But Dorris’ one “true love” wherever she was affiliated, was for her church, and its mission to save lost souls. As recently as this summer, on the precipice of her ninetieth (90th) birthday), Dorris volunteered as a Vacation Bible School teacher for children ages 7 to 11 in her church, (C3), and she was also an active member of the C3 GEM’--a ministry established for the church’s seniors, even bringing a bible-based lesson to the group.

Dorris Parker Bassett’s life was a testament to service and commitment to Christ. She was often viewed as quiet, but to those who really knew her professionally or personally, they could attest that she was a force to be reckoned with, who always did what she said she would do, who did not believe in leaving a task half-finished or undone, and loved punctuality. But not one to take herself too seriously, she loved a good laugh and liked to joke often. For her family and friends, she was a fierce advocate and not one to shy away from conflict if necessary--her love ran deep. She will be sorely missed, but God is gracious, and He knew what was best.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved daughter, Vanetia Wetherspoon Johnson (Victor) of Houston, Texas; two granddaughters Natalie Nicole Wetherspoon of League City, Texas, Kayci Wetherspoon Johnson (Brandon) of Dallas, Texas; two brothers, Morris Joseph Parker, Jr. (Geneva) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Steven M. Parker (Jewel) of Austin, Texas; one sister, Lola Jackson (Johnny) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; three nephews, Ronnie W. Parker (Doretha) of Houston, Texas, Morris Joseph Parker, III of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Larry F. Parker (Stephanie) of Baker, Louisiana; a cousin “like a daughter” Connie Hilton (Frederick) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins in New Orleans, La., Mansfield, La., Dallas, Texas, Omaha, Nebraska, Richmond, Virginia, Little Rock, AK, and numerous treasured friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Wendell Albert Wetherspoon, her parents, Reverend Morris Joseph Parker, Sr., and Reveller Roberston Parker, maternal grandparents Mamie and Archille Robertson, paternal grandparents Robert and Jane Parker, an infant sister Virgie, and two sisters, Janice L. Parker Theiss (Mike) and Mildred L. Parker Cressell.

Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Dorris P. Bassett Cornerstone Community Church 8200 Westglen Drive Houston, Texas 77063 Saturday, December 14, 2024 Visitation: 12 noon Service: 1 pm

Christian Committal Service Greenoaks Funeral Home Chapel 9595 Florida Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70815 Monday, December 16, 2024

Visitation: 10 am Service: 11 am

Brookside Funeral Home - Champions of Houston,Texas and Greenoaks Funeral Home of Baton Rouge, LA in charge. . .

Interment: Southern Memorial Gardens