Bishop Joseph Edison Bass, Jr.

Obituary For Bishop Joseph Edison Bass, Jr.

JOSEPH EDISON BASS, JR., 85, departed this life on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at UPMC Osteopathic Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – transitioning peacefully to The Church Triumphant while surrounded by his beloved family. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The eldest child of ten offspring of the late Bishop Joseph Bass, Sr. and the late Mother Mary Velma Watts Bass. Joseph received his formal education in the Pittsburgh School System and was a 1955 graduate of Monessen High School. He was a superb scholar and active participant in his alma mater’s band as a tuba musician and also an award-winning member of the Debate Team. With legendary oratorical skills, he loved to recite (from memory) the literary works of James Weldon Johnson, especially his favorite poem, “The Creation”. Having a desire to further his education, he pursued academic studies in higher education on the main campus of Pennsylvania State University. Bishop Bass hails from a very distinguished family priestly lineage – including numerous bishops, pastors, elders, evangelists and missionaries. His early ministry training was completed at the Gate of Heaven Church of God in Christ under the tutelage of his natural and spiritual father, where he served faithfully as youth minister. Bishop Bass has been fully engaged in ministry for nearly seven decades. He is well known as a highly accomplished gospel preacher, teacher, worshipper and expositor of God’s Word. His first pastorate was the Church of God in Christ congregation in Mt. Union which he served for several years, then as senior pastor of the Lingo Memorial Church of God in Christ in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania from 1969–1977. He labored loyally for two decades under the auspices of the late Bishop O. T. Jones, Jr. He was a phenomenal, insightful, substantive, bold and creative visionary. Those who knew him well regarded him as an extremely amiable ‘people-person’, one who met no strangers, a bona fide mover-and-shaker, an energetic go-getter with the natural capacity to motivate and mobilize the masses to expand, edify and cherish the Kingdom of God. He never allowed situations or setbacks to impede forward progress in key ecclesiastical goals. Over a lifetime of ministry, Bishop Bass was the recipient of a myriad of honors and awards. Most notably, he has planted numerous churches and ministries, both domestically and internationally. He is the founder and presiding bishop of Our Savior, Christ the King International, a collaborative group of Kingdom-minded ministries. He also established and skillfully shepherded the Milestone Ministerium, Agape Bible Institute and The College of Bishops. His far-reaching ministry bore the fruit of frequent mission trips and tangible aid to African and Caribbean nations. Moreover, his overarching aim and abiding ambition have always been to effectively serve, proclaim and exalt his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In addition to his parents, Bishop Bass was preceded in transitioning by his late wife, Evelyn Osborne Bass; his late wife, Bernice Barnes Bass; three of his siblings: Lloyd Dwight Bass, Wilma Bass Keys and Bishop J. Richard Bass and his daughter-in-law, Katherine Jackson. Bishop Bass consistently exemplified love, affection and devotion for his entire family. As their generational patriarch, he motivated mutual respect, fellowship and emotional support. His surviving natural and spiritual family legacies include his loving wife, Lady Barbara Bass; his six adult children, Pastor Joseph Bass III (Lauren), Virginia Marable (Bernard), Lauren Jackson (Richard), Brian Bass (Colleen), Terence Jackson and James Michael, his twelve grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; his three brothers, William C. Bass, Sr., Edwin C. Bass and Wayne M. Bass, Sr.; his three sisters, Izetta E. Bass, Ruth A. Bass and Doris P. Wade and a host of family members, ministry colleagues, affiliated churches and friends.

His life will be celebrated on Friday, May 13 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary of Shiloh Church of God in Christ at 5950 Derry Street., with viewing 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and burial in Paxtang Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the Ministry of Comfort of Major H. Winfield Funeral Home, Steelton. www.majorhwinfieldfuneralhome.com COVID-19 Guidelines will be observed with face masks for all attendees. www.majorhwinfieldfuneralhome.com

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