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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
REMEMBERING REV. JAMES BASS
WHEREAS, Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, has called Reverend James Bass of Chicago from our midst on November 27, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Reverend James Bass was born May 7, 1920 in Ruleville, Mississippi. He was the oldest of six children born to the union of Frank and Hattie Bell Bass; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Bass was called into the ministry at the age of six; the children from neighboring farms gathered in one house on Sunday evenings to play church; he would conduct the services rendering the sermon, praying and singing; he ministered at the funeral of “anything that died” and was repeatedly referred to as the “The Preacher Boy”; he accepted Christ as his personal Savior on a Tuesday in August 1929 and was baptized in the Sunflower River; he became a faithful and dedicated young man as he grew in wisdom and knowledge; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 14, Rev. Bass became the custodian at his church he attended Ruleville Jr. High School from 1934 through 1936; in 1938 he preached his first sermon at Mt. Laton Baptist church entitled “Preaching as the Fire Burns”; he graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1941; and
WHEREAS, On December 7, 1941, Rev. Bass was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served his country for three years during World War II; he continued his ministry during this time, speaking and teaching to fellow soldiers. He was promoted to Corporal in 1944 and was sent with his division to the South Pacific, India and New Guinea, where his division was joined by the 92nd infantry amidst fierce fighting; he became the chaplain on the field and conducted worship services and delivered the mail; he was discharged on June 7, 1945 and received an array of medals; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Bass began his freshman year at Tugaloo College in 1948, majoring in History; he attended the Mississippi Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi in 1951 and became the Pastor of the Mt. Israel Baptist Church in Clarksdale, MS, where he sponsored a broadcast for the senior citizens, the sick and shut-ins; and
WHEREAS, In December of 1955, Rev. Bass conducted a revival at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan; he made a stop in Chicago to visit his brother Harry, and his sister, Mamie; he preached at the Greater Door Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, In August of 1956, a small mission was started and rapidly grew in numbers; the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago was organized in September of 1956; in February 1957, Rev Bass returned to Chicago; he commuted between Chicago and Mississippi twice a month, but soon permanently relocated to Chicago; he served six years as a Pastor in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, In 1967 Rev. Bass married Helyn Maxcine Julius; the couple was blessed with a son Vincent and a daughter Vikkeda; and
WHEREAS; Rev. Bass served as the Pastor of Mt. Olive for 45 years and would quote this scripture; “I am crucified with Christ; Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God.( Galatians 2:20) Therefore, I am a servant Committed
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THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF COOK COUNTY, that we mourn the passing of Reverend James Bass and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and all who knew and loved him.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Rev. Bass as an expression of our deepest sympathy.
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