It is with our heaviest of hearts that we announce the Homecoming and “Graduation” of our Dearest Daddy, Pawpaw, Skippy, Skip, Mr. B, Dr. Skip, Brother Skip, Brother Bassham but seldom rarely referred to by his full name Dr. Charles Dennis Bassham, April 25, 2024.
Dr. Bassham was born April 28, 1949, to Mary Lois Capps-Bassham Burnett and Clarence Bassham in Houston, Texas. At about the age of 9 years old Skip moved to Oregon and graduated from West Linn High School, he completed his BA (’72) and M.Ed. (’78) from Sam Houston State and completed his dual Doctorate from Louisiana Christian University.
Skippy’s pride and joy has been his love for Jesus, family, and for his wife of 53 years. Brenda Bailey Bassham, the first-time momma saw Daddy through her dorm room window she said, “That is the man I’m going to marry.” Over their 53 years together their joy in serving the Lord has taken them through years of training union and other ministries with Midway Baptist, First Baptist Magnolia, Texas. During this time Skip taught elementary and middle school and served as the Mayor for Magnolia. He also took joy in his years of coaching little Dribblers in Magnolia and with First Baptist Church, West Columbia. During this time of Spiritual Growth and ministry, Dad enjoyed his time with his students and the Columbia High School Basketball team seldom missing a game and being the originating sponsor for the CHS Pep Squad as his oldest daughter cheered on the mighty fighting Roughnecks during their 1987 season of glory. After his full surrender and ordination under Dewey Davidson the Lord led Pastor Skip on to First Baptist Orchard, Texas. After receiving the further experience of Baptism in the Holy Spirt Brother Skip went on to receive further blessed instruction under Pastor Larry Watts at Abundant Life Church on the Rock, Brazoria, Texas. He then moved onto Pastor Caney Creek Chapel in Sargent, Texas. From there he served briefly at Word of Faith in Groesbeck, Texas. He then moved on to Serve as the Special Education Director for Big Sandy ISD. At this season in his life, he was contacted by Church on the Rock to replace retiring Pastor Lee Little at Nashville Community Church in Nashville, Arkansas where Dr. Bassham has been for the previous 22 years of life.
During this time, he has focused on preaching, teaching, and writing scripturally based books to help people with life. He was a founding member of the Christian Health Center of Howard County. In short, dad can be described as a Friend, Author, and Ambassador for Jesus.
Dr. C.D. “Skip” Bassham was preceded in death by his parents and many other loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Bailey Bassham; children Melissa DeWalt (James: Bailey & Jamie), Vanessa Wise (MSG Scott Wise: Mia, IanShane, Zoe), Josie Howe (CW4(RET USA) Joshua Howe: Chandell & Cordelia), and Brent Bassham (Heather: Spencer, Levi, Asher). His siblings Bud Bassham, Gary Bassham(DeeDee), Elaine Gorsuch, Cindy Porter(Bert); his Siblings-in-Love Allen “Boo” McNeil, Beb McNeil, and JoBerta Flickenger, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.
