of Benton, AR
October 27, 1922 - February 9, 2020
Martha (Kathleen) James-Basse went to be with the Lord Sunday, February 9, 2020 at 97 years of age. She was born in Hampton, Arkansas, attended school in Hampton, and graduated from Harrell High School in 1940. She was a starter for Harrell High School's girls basketball team.
She was the eldest child of Allen and Nettie McDuffie. She had three brothers, Raymond, Jesse, and Carol, who have all preceded her in death. She had two sisters, Shirley McDuffie, who also preceded her in death, and is survived by Betty Jane Dunn of Magnolia, Arkansas. She also is survived by several nieces and nephews.
She married William Bettes (Bill) James in 1941 and they shared fifty-one years together until his death on October 26, 1992. Kathleen is survived by two children, William (Terry) James and wife, Margaret and Philip (Robin) James and wife, Charlene all of Benton; step-son, Don Basse of Tulsa, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Terry James, Jr., Christian James, Nathan James, and Ashley James all of Benton; and four great-grandchildren, Jaci, Preslie, Hudson, and Harper.
She was a faithful member of, and taught Sunday School for, Highland Heights Church in Benton for many years.
She retired from Sears in 1988 where she worked as a credit department supervisor in the Little Rock, Arkansas office. She was a member of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA).
Kathleen married Shirley (Sonny) Basse in 1994, and they shared sixteen years together until his death in 2009.
A Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2020 in the chapel of Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home at 6700 Alcoa Rd. in Benton, Arkansas. Interment will follow in Smith Rosemont Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Terry James, Jr., Nathan James, Christian James, Ashley James, Spurge Mask, and Mike Hile. Serving as honorary pallbearer is Freddy Burton.
A time of Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, an hour prior to the service, at the Funeral Home.
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3 Condolence(s)
Lisa Harrison Bevill
Thursday, February 20, 2020
I was so lucky to have such a sweet aunt. I am so sorry for all of my cousins’ loss.
Paula Holleman
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
We loved Aunt Kathleen so very much. She was such a kind and dignified lady and we thought the world of her.
Paul & Debbie Bridges
Monday, February 10, 2020
Aunt Kathleen was one of the sweetest ladies we knew. She always made you smile when you seen her. and always glad to see you. We will miss her deeply.