Glennis Ann Bassi, age 79, passed in the afternoon on November 24, 2021. She loved to be around and talk with family, friends, and people in general, especially after the death of her husband Donald Richard Bassi who passed away almost 4 years ago to the day. She was an avid historian, great teacher, and devoted sister and friend to all. She had been a resident of McMinnville for 53 years. Glennis was born in a cabin in Jonesborough, Tennessee on July 22, 1942. She went to East Tennessee State University where she obtained her undergraduate degree and then on to Tennessee Technological University earning her Master’s Degree in Education. While Don was the manager for the Merritt Island plant that provided all the concrete for the Merritt Island Launch Area for NASA, he met Glennis. They wed in June 1965. She was a teacher in the Brevard County School system in Florida. They moved to Tennessee and she was teaching at several school systems for over 30 years. She was instrumental in the opening of the Warren County Teacher’s Center
In 1976, Don & Glennis opened “The Kitchen Table” on Courthouse Square in McMinnville for many years and then moved it to their home. Glennis loved her politics and wasn’t shy about speaking her mind on the happenings in government. She was campaign manager for Shelby Rhinehart, a Tennessee House Representative and Mayor of Spencer, Tennessee for 12 years. They were very close friends along with Jim Cooper and Al Gore. She was of the Catholic faith and attended Mass at both Saint Catherine’s in McMinnville and Saint Mark’s in Manchester.
Glennis was preceded in death by her father Blanco Lewis who was killed in action in WW II, and her mother Selma Franklin Lewis Maltsberger, and her husband of 52 years, Don Bassi. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Randy and Bobbi Maltsberger of Knoxville, Tennessee, niece Hali Hoag (Jared Hoag husband), nephew Hunter Maltsberger, great niece Laurel Hoag, great nephew Julian Hoag. She was also very close to her grandmother Bessie Franklin, Uncles and Aunts-Loyce and Patsy Franklin, J.B. and Geneva Robinson, Cline and Betty Franklin, and Everitt and Nancy Franklin and loved all her special cousins and their families-Vicki Harris, Debbie Coates, Jimmy Cline, Johnny & Patty Franklin, Kathy Seaton and Michael Franklin. The Bassi family was very dear to her also. She developed a special love for her caregiver and close friend Vickie Sparks. She had a very special friend that was by her side for many years Teresa. And most precious to her was her best friend Cathie Bryan whom she met in 1973-a friendship spanning almost 50 years and a fellow teacher.
There will be a memorial service on January 15, 2022 at Bascom United Methodist Church, 5311 Vervilla Rd., Morrison, TN 37357. Inurnment will follow at Bascom Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. with service following. There will be a reception at the fellowship hall of the church following Inurnment. Memorial donations can be made to Warren County Retired Teachers Association in memory of Glennis Bassi c/o Kerry Mullican-3220 Post Road McMinnville, TN 37110.
