Esther E. Bassett

Longtime Bakersfield resident, Esther Edith Bassett, 99, passed into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, in La Mesa, California where she had been residing for the past seven years. Mrs. Bassett was born April 20, 1912 in Alexandria, Indiana.

Mrs. Bassett was a lifelong member of the Nazarene Church. Her husband, Merrill Bassett, who died in 1982, was a Nazarene minister. Much of her life was devoted to being a loving pastor’s wife and playing the piano in their church. In later years, she played for First Church of the Nazarene in Bakersfield. Just two weeks ago, she was playing the piano for the residents of the Country Villa in La Mesa where she was living. Over the years she had instructed many piano students.

Esther is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Lowell and Deanne, Milton and Carol, and Paul and Jiwu; grandchildren Kurt Bassett, Rick Bassett, Doug Bassett, Lori Ketels, Cheryl Gaughan , Randy Bassett, Dia Bassett Marlowe Bassett, Samantha Bassett, Jonathan Bassett; brothers, Leonard and Bob Hall; seventeen great-grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.

Services will take place Friday, October 7th, 1:00 P.M. at the First Church of the Nazarene, 2801 Hughes Lane, Bakersfield, with her grandson, Pastor Rick Bassett officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura.