Mildred Bailey Basile

Mildred Bailey Basile, born in 1926, passed from this life on December 18, 2024, at the age of 98. Her beloved husband of 63 years, Anthony "Tony" Basile preceded her in death along with her parents, Thomas and Mary Van Bailey; and brothers, Thomas, Robert, Bill, and Edward Bailey. Remaining is her sister, Mary Catherine Lomax (Jerry); daughters, Janet Beaudet (Richard, deceased) and Linda Harris (Bill); grandchildren, Joe Beaudet (Debra), Tom Beaudet (Debbie), Mike Beaudet (Beth), and Rick Beaudet (Mona); BJ Harris (Aja); and Rebekah Harris Simunek (Chris); great-grandchildren, Christopher and Jessica Beaudet; Allison, Kristine, Nicholas and Karena Beaudet; Katie Beaudet; Alec, Matthew, Austin, and Laura Beaudet; Rhett and Ruby Harris. Mildred was born in Lexington, NC, and raised during the Great Depression by hard working and resourceful parents from whom she learned thrift and life skills. From her grandmother, Mary Bell she learned the value of an education when she was taken to the movies to read the captions for her grandmother. From earliest times, she applied herself to being an excellent student. She was graduated Salutatorian from Lexington High School. With the help of work scholarships and summer jobs, she graduated from Montreat Anderson College as Valedictorian with double majors in English and History and a Collegiate Professional Teaching Certificate. 
Immediately following the Commencement Ceremony, Mildred and Tony went to the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Asheville, NC, and were married. After receiving congratulations from family and friends, they began their trip to Hopewell, VA, where they lived together the rest of their lives. Tony returned to his Barber Shop Business and Mildred applied to teach in Hopewell Public Schools. She taught self-contained classroom 20 years at Dupont Elementary and 19 more years at Mallonee Middle School and Carter G. Woodson Middle School teaching Math and Civics. After retirement she substituted another 10 years. The classroom was her happy place and she loved and cherished every student without exception.
At retirement her students gifted her with Crepe Myrtle trees and she added more until completing the perimeter of Appomattox Cemetery. She planted all the trees and maintained them until she reached 90. They are now cared for by friends and the city of Hopewell.
Retirement was full of daily visits to grandchildren and friends, guitar lessons, painting lessons, word carving, quilting, crafts, gardening, reading, and learning Sign Language. It can be said she was a life long learner. 
Mildred was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Hopewell Retired Teachers Association, and The Woman's Club. Throughout her life she contributed to and supported various Native American causes.
Mildred's grandson-in-law, Chris Simunek said, "Her presence always kept us with one solid foot in those days of old time southern grace, manners and charm." 
The family is grateful to all who loved her throughout her life and especially to in-home caregiver, Amanda Kingery; Legacy Hospice, namely Allie Harris and Latrisha Harris; and staff and friends of Dunlop Assisted Living and Memory Care. She could not have remained independent in her home until age 96 without the loving help of neighbors, Jimmy and Wendy Hayes as well as other Grant Street neighbors.
The family will receive on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, 820 W Broadway Ave, Hopewell, VA. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, at First Presbyterian Church, 1107 W. Broadway, Hopewell, VA 23860, on Saturday, January 4, 2025, followed by burial at Appomattox Cemetery and reception at Call to Worship and Praise, fellowship Hall, 2000 City Point Road, Hopewell. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Charles W. Smith Scholarship Fund through the John Randolph Foundation or to the charity of your choice.