Nancy Neel-Bass

Nancy G. Neel-Bass was born September 29, 1964, to James Merrill Neel Sr. and Lanell Chaffin Neel in Houston, Texas. She attended school in Houston and graduated from St. Agnes Academy.  Nancy began her college studies at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and finished her bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Black Hills State University in South Dakota.

Nancy loved all sports, a Texas girl at heart, but football was her favorite. She was a die-hard fan of the Houston Oilers, now the Houston Texans, and the University of Texas Longhorns; some of her happiest moments were watching the games with family and friends. She also shared memories with her life-long friends, Patty Jorgensen, and the late Monique Adams. The “Three Amigas” shared decades of friendship.

She moved to Del Rio, Texas, in 1991, where she was a special education teacher at Del Rio High School.  It was in Del Rio where she met Kevin Bass. They married on June 10, 1994. Nancy was very active and involved with her students. She served as the cheerleader sponsor, student council sponsor, and UIL sponsor, where she earned the title of UIL sponsor of the year.  She was also a Weight Watchers’ Leader. Nancy loved travelling and going to concerts, but she loved the beach above all. On July 20, 1995, Nancy and Kevin welcomed their son, Justin. He was and is the apple of their eye.

A job promotion for Kevin brought them to Odessa, Texas, and Nancy took a job teaching at Odessa High School, where she worked until she retired in 2019. Nancy passed away on February 12, 2022, after a long and hard battle fighting cancer.

Nancy was preceded in death by her father, James Merrill Neel, Sr.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Kevin James Bass, son Justin Neel Bass (Larissa), grandson, Jaxon Wayne Bass, mother, Lanell Chaffin Neel, brother, James Merrill Neel, Jr. (Erika), father-in-law, James Bass (Rutha), sisters -in-law Renee Burse, Michelle Ellison, nieces, Taylor Monet Neel and Mahriam Muhammad, nephews, Joshua Ellison (Ashley) and James Merrill Neel III (Trey) and several other family members, friends, and students.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations, in Nancy's name, to the American Cancer Society.