Mildred Bernice Bass

On June 19, 2018, Mildred Bernice Witherspoon Bass, 83, formerly of Dover, passed away peacefully in Hockessin, Delaware. She will always be remembered for her kind and caring spirit, her big smile, her classy and stylish dress and her passion for teaching. Mildred Bass was the youngest child of three children born to Arthur and Annie (Watson) Witherspoon, Sr., in her beloved New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 3, 1935. Now, every birth order has its own unique challenges, and Mildred learned early on, different ways to win attention. We were told stories of how she showed an adventurous and independent spirit, participating in synchronized swimming, drum majoring, and cheerleading. Shortly after Mildred and William Harrison Bass were married in December 23, 1958, they were stationed at Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware, where they would remain until retirement, raising their family and becoming purposefully involved in their community and in their church, Mt. Zion A.M.E., on Queen Street in Dover. Not many knew how artistic in drawing, singing and culinary arts she was, but anyone who knew her knew that there were only four things she loved more than New Orleans - her husband, her children, her grand and great grandchildren, and Delaware State University football. Mildred received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Delaware State College (now University) in 1964. She would later obtain three Master’s Degrees in Reading, English Education, and Counseling. She was Miss Alumni in 1969, and was well known for her N’Orleans gumbo served at their home after Homecoming for several years. Mildred worked for the Capital School District her whole career, teaching middle school English Language Arts. Her peers considered her to be a consummate professional, always willing to give of her time to help her peers and students. She was known to say to all her classes, “You don’t do the work for the teacher, you do it for you.” She loved to travel with her husband across the United States collecting coffee mugs from each state visited. She also enjoyed shopping, music, entertaining, watching old westerns and spending time with her family. Mildred was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (1969) and a founding member of the Dover Chapter of the Links Incorporated. Mildred leaves to cherish her memory her daughters Millicent Seth (Stan) and Rhonda Schone (Ed); her sister, Clara Chopfield; sister-in-law, Hazel Berry; a much loved niece, Tonja Chopfield Jackson (Kevin) and her children, Shawn and Shawna Lynn; grandchildren, Ashley Seth Jackson (Richard), Nathanael Seth, Harrison Schone, Michael Seth, Thelonious “Theo” Schone, and Alaric Schone; great-grandchildren, Rashid Jackson and Corlette Jackson and a host of cousins from California to New York. She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur, Sr. and Annie Witherspoon; her husband, Retired Master Sergeant William Harrison Bass; brother, Arthur Witherspoon Jr.; nephew, Glen E. Witherspoon and nieces Cheryl and Cynthia Berry. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in memory of Mildred Bass for Alzheimer’s research, or to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Dover Alumnae Chapter, P.O. Box 636, Dover, DE 19903, towards Educational Development or Public Service Projects, or to the Dover Links, Incorporated. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mildred Bernice Bass, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Mildred Bernice Bass

February 3, 1935 - June 19, 2018