Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
Ronald and Laurie Bass celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on March 27. Laurie moved to Quitman, Ga. in 1952, residing near the Bass neighborhood, and she has never left. Laurie met Ronald Bass while attending Ochlawilla Baptist Church, in Quitman, Ga. The two young teenagers also worked in tobacco together. Eventually, they embarked on a courtship that lasted four or five years before they got married.
The pair decided on a private wedding, with just a few close friends invited. Both sets of parents and most relatives were not on the list of those who witnessed their ceremony, which took place at the home of Rev. Howard Money, who was living in Valdosta, Ga. at the time.
After enjoying a one-day honeymoon, the couple returned home and suspected that friends and family members might have unwanted plans to extend the wedding celebration. Consequently, they hid their vehicle behind their home. Unfortunately, the moon was exceptionally bright following their return, and the car was easily spotted across a cornfield, where family members quickly hatched a plan of revenge for having been excluded from the wedding.
After stealing their vehicle, which was quite easy, since one of the relatives had a car key that also worked in Bass’ car, the mischievous crew set about leaving plenty of messages on the car, with the help of some handy shoe polish. To complete their vehicle modifications, a fish head was conveniently placed on the head of the motor to create the proper aroma for the occasion. Just in case the scent didn’t produce the desired effect, an additional fish head was placed under the carpet in the car’s interior. “It took us a while to find it,” remembers Laurie.
Early into their marriage, Ronald and Laurie settled into long-term careers, with Ronald signing on with Tri-County Electric Cooperative and Laurie continuing with Griner Motors, In Quitman. They have three grown children: Doug, Rhonda and Kim. Though any marriage that lasts for over six decades will see its share of trouble, the Basses have followed a simple formula of using patience and treating each other the way they wanted to be treated. “He has a lot of patience, and he’s easygoing and sweet,” said Laurie. “I’m a type A personality, and I like things done quickly and a certain way.” Ronald chuckled at those comments and replied, “She’s hyper.”
The couple is still actively attending Ochlawilla Baptist Church, and they reside in Cherry Lake, living in the home they built in 1972, after graduating from a two-bedroom little house they lovingly refer to as the “sugar shack.” These days, the Basses have plenty of sugar stored up to share with the five grandchildren and two great grandchildren they currently enjoy.