Rose Watkins Bass

Rose Watkins Bass, 78, went to be with the Lord on February 17, 2026. Born and raised in Durham, NC, she married her high school sweetheart on July 31, 1964.

Rose worked while her husband finished college and accompanied him to Los Angeles, CA, where he served in the US Navy. She began her career as an administrative assistant at IBM Corporation in Glendale, CA and later worked at other IBM locations in North Carolina and Florida. In 1980, she chose to stay home to care for her baby son. A loving and devoted wife, she also selflessly cared for her mother for 12 years following a massive, debilitating stroke in 1997 and assisted her uncle remotely for six years until his passing.

She cherished time with her grandchildren and always sought ways to help her family. Rose fought cancer bravely for five years, remaining steadfast in her faith and trust in Jesus. She found peace in the quiet of nature, seeing it as a reflection of God’s beauty and majesty.

She is survived by John, her husband of 61 years; her son, Ryan Bass (children Aimee, Taylor, Christian, and Jaxson); her daughter, Jennifer Clem (Dennis; children Devin and Jonathan); her brothers, Harvey Watkins (Sherry) and Thomas Kegley; her sister, Deborah Ashe; and was predeceased by her brothers, Larry Watkins (Paula) and Tim Kegley.

There will be a graveside service for family officiated by Hospice Chaplain Joe Williams.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation: https://fcsf.org/ways-to-support/donate/