Ruth Anne Bass

Ruth Ann(Ruth) Anne Mason Bass (87) went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 13, 2025. She was born March 31, 1937. Her life was centered around her love for God, her family, God’s wonderful world, and her students. Her children and grandchildren were precious to her, including her children: Steve Kitchens (Teresa), David Kitchens (Jackie), and Amy Kitchens Kyzar (Johannes Markus). She was a proud grandmother to Jacob and Joshua Kitchens, sons of Steve; Ryan Kitchens (Peyton) and Sean Kitchens (Maygan), sons of David; and Steven Kyzar (Melissa) and Suzanne Kyzar Chaneyworth (Eric), children of Amy. Her legacy continues through her beloved great-grandchildren: Finn, son of Ryan; Levi, son of Sean; Jude, Dinah, Eleanor, and Sadie, children of Steven; and Kirstin, Dustin, and Austin, children of Suzanne.

Anne, the daughter of the late Rev. Estus and Gertrude Mason, also leaves behind her loving sister and devoted traveling companion, Sara Barnes. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. In addition to designing houses, painting in oils and acrylics, writing, and playing the piano and organ, Anne especially enjoyed exploring God’s amazing creation, animals in the wild, and people of different, intriguing cultures. In her travels, she visited more than 70 countries and islands on all seven continents.

A member of First Baptist Church, Jackson, Anne’s love for God was shared as she followed His calling to teach more than 15,000 students in the Jackson area, primarily in Jackson Public Schools and at Hinds Community College. She wanted each student to reach his or her individual potential. HER goal was to help them to reach THEIR goals as she taught them how to write effectively. Many wrote notes of appreciation, such as the following poem by Linda Walton, then a student at the Hinds Vicksburg Campus. The class had the poem beautifully framed and presented it to her at a surprise birthday party. Since it captures her desires as a teacher, the poem was especially meaningful to her.

A TRIBUTE TO ANNE:

“My eyes see only what the light allows. My heart sees all. At first, I did not know you. My eyes saw only the instructor who stood before a class of hopeful would-be’s. You appeared to me as the all-knowing, all-powerful Sourceress. You waved your magic wand: POOF, I earned an ‘A.’ Your mystical powers encouraged me to delve into the recesses of my long-latent imagination. My mind expanded with each spell you cast. I, thanks to YOU, have acquired the most powerful magic of all—KNOWLEDGE. With the power of knowledge, I am able to transform the mundane into the extraordinary, to exorcise from my soul the demons that reside within. I am able to become anyone or anything I choose. More importantly, I am able to be ME.”

Anne’s family will celebrate her life at a private gathering. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send brief notes of remembrance for the family’s digital scrapbook commemorating her life on the lakewoodfuneraljackson.com website.