ATLANTA — Sergeant First Class (Ret.) George Lamar Bass was born on Oct. 4, 1960 in West Point. He transitioned to his better home on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta surrounded by his loving family and friends.

George accepted God’s gift of salvation at an early age at Emmanuel Chapel CME Methodist Church in West Point. He was educated in the Troup County School System and upon graduation enlisted in the U.S. Army, He served faithfully for 20 years before retiring as a sergeant first class. During George’s years in the military, he served stateside as well as on foreign soil. He was awarded numerous military awards, such as: the Meritorious Service medal, Army Commendation medal, Army Achievement medal, Army Good Conduct medal, National Defense Service medal, Non-Commissioned Officer’s Professional Development ribbon, Army Service ribbon, Overseas Service ribbon, Expert Marksmanship Qualification badge with rifle bar, Drill Sergeant and Sergeant Identification badge.

George was employed at Atlanta MARTA system as a maintenance supervisor.

George was preceded in death by his grandmother, Lizzie George Turner amd aunts Martha Bass Jenkins and Mary Bass Boyd.

He leaves to cherish his legacy and memories four children, Jasmine Janee’ Bass Hunter of Newnan, Ga., Meghan Bass of Birmingham; Christian Bass of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Kiersten Bass of Atlanta; his mother, Thelma Byrd of Chicago;  brother, Chester Byrd of Chicago; two grandchildren, Lamar Van Harden Bass and Marcellus Hunter II,; an aunt, Betty Ann Jones; uncle, Gregory ( Tara ) Turner; three nieces, Samaria Smith, Nailah and Nia Byrd and extended family members, including a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A memorial of life celebration with full military honors for Mr. Bass will be held Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 1 p.m. from the sanctuary of the Emanuel  Chapel C.M.E. Church, West Point, with the Rev. C.J. Smith, pastor, presiding, Rev. Ronnie Jones, serving as the eulogist, and Rev. Leon Williams, Rev. William Cousins, and Rev. Jerome Spence, assisting.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Disabled American Veterans (DVA) organization at www.dav.org. The family can be contacted at 90 Hearthstone Drive, North, Newnan, GA 30263.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.mwleemortuary.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to M.W. Lee Mortuary of West Point.