Nellie Racine Bass of Picher died Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, at Integris Baptist Regional Health Center in Miami.  She was 89.

Mrs. Bass was born May 12, 1920, in Treece, Kan., to Charles Edward and Edith M. (Blunk) Shaw. She graduated from Picher High School in 1937.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Picher and was a 50-year member of Order of Easter Star of Miami.    She married Claude Edward Bass on Aug. 29, 1937, in Joplin, Mo. He preceded her in death. 

She was also preceded by one son, Ray Dale Bass; her parents; one sister, Ida Ellen Smith; two brothers, Dale Edward Shaw and Doris Leroy Shaw, and two grandsons, Jeffrey Scott and Russ Edward Bass.

Survivors include

three sons and their wives, Tomi E. and Shirlye Bass  of Fairland, Michael and Joyce Bass of Picher and K.C. and Shirley Bass of Miami; one grandson and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services were Sept. 18, 2009 at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami.  Arrangements are under the direction of Paul Thomas Funeral Home of Miami.