Horace Clement Bass departed his earthly life on August 7, 2018. He was born in Big Rock, TN on Dec. 10, 1929 and is preceded in death by his parents, William Arch, Jr and Ethel Mae Shook, sisters, Novelyn McCarty, Nadene Gray and brothers Thurman, Lloyd, Ross, Collins and W.A. Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Margaret Long Bass, son, Eddie (Joan), daughters, Betsy Miller (Bob), Linda Wolf (Ron) and Mary Harper (Matt), grandchildren, David Bass (Jenna), Melanie Cundiff (Bob), Joe Bass (Justine), Heather Wolf, Matthew Harper, Elizabeth Harper, Ryan Harper and great grandchildren Jack and Julia Bass. Horace and Margaret were both blessed with large families and there are also many sisters and brothers in law, cousins, nieces and nephews that he loved.
After graduation from Giles County High School, he joined the Navy and shortly thereafter married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Long. He then worked for Bell South for 10 years before receiving the call to the ministry in 1960. The first church he served was Ardmore United Methodist Church, where he also commuted to Martin Methodist College and Athens College to pursue his college degree. In 1965, he moved his family to Nashville where he served Antioch UMC while obtaining his Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. In 1975, while serving as minister to Tulip Street UMC, he was appointed Commissioner of Welfare for the State of TN. His 1st act was to change the name to the more appropriate, Dept of Human Services. Following that, he was appointed head of the Dept of Economic Development for Metro Nashville government.
In 1985 he purchased Capitol City Mattress and developed a mattress line called Fluffo. He enjoyed doing his live commercials on local TV and radio stations, where became known as Mr. Fluffo.
As part of his ministry, Horace was instrumental in starting an adoption agency for the United Methodist TN Conference, which is now known as Miriam’s Promise. It was near and dear to his heart and loved each child as they were placed with their parents.
Horace was a life-long Democrat having become actively involved with his brother, Sen Ross Bass, in many of his campaigns and other Democrats, including Richard Fulton.
In his retirement years, he and Margaret were active members of Belle Meade UMC where he taught the Oxford Sunday school class.
Pall bearers are his grandchildren, Honorary Pall bearers are The Honorable Richard Fulton, Giles County High class of 1948, Board of Trustees Martin Methodist College, Employees of Fluffo Mattress, The Oxford Class at BMUMC and employees of Dept of Human Services 1975 – 1980.
A masonic service will be held Thursday, August 9th at 3:30pm and visitation will follow from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Bennett-May-Giles County Funeral Home. Visitation Friday, August 10th from 10:00am until 11:00am with the funeral service to follow at 11:00am at First United Methodist Church Pulaski, TN. A private family burial will be held on Friday, August 10th at 9:00am. On Saturday there will be a visitation at Belle Meade United Methodist Church at 10:00am followed by a memorial service at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Martin Methodist College, 433 W. Madison St., Pulaski, TN 38478 and Miriam’s Promise, Scarritt Hall, 1008 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212. Bennett-May-Giles County Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements for Horace Bass.
