Joy Evelyn Bassett

Joy Evelyn Bassett, of Groesbeck, passed away at Groesbeck LTC on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at age 89.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Brookside Memorial Park in Houston, TX.

Pallbearers will be Mark Bassett, William Sempe and Brandon Morland.

Joy was born on May 5, 1936, in Nacogdoches, to Strawter Nathan Jarrell and Katie Corine (Wilson) Jarrell. Her family moved to Houston, and she graduated from Jeff Davis High School in 1954.

Joy was married to Leslie Glenn Bassett, Sr. when she was right out of high school, and they lived in Cypress, where they raised three sons. All three boys were active in sports, and she was very involved in their sports activities, with son Steve being a star quarterback who won a scholarship to Navarro Jr. College.

Joy was a school bus driver for Cypress ISD for fifteen years, and enjoyed also driving the teams to ball games, so she could be present at the games to watch her sons play. If she couldn’t drive the players’ bus, she drove the cheerleader’s bus, again so she could be at the games. For the rest of her life, she enjoyed watching sports on TV. She also enjoyed going dancing. Joy enjoyed displaying miniature school bus decorations in her home.

Joy and Glenn moved to Thornton on the Bassett family land, and she went to work for Groesbeck ISD driving a “special needs” school bus for the next nineteen years. She loved the kids that rode her bus and even after retiring she was happy to be still in touch with many of them.

Joy moved to Groesbeck in 2006, and she was a member of First Baptist Church. For many years, the light of her life and subject of many conversations was her dog, Ruby. After experiencing many falls, Joy resided in Groesbeck LTC for the past two years and loved having the family bring Ruby to visit her there.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Steve Allen Bassett; husband Glenn Bassett, Sr.; and cousin, Ray Wilson.

She is survived by her sons, Leslie Glen Bassett, Jr. of Groesbeck; and Brian David Bassett and Nicha of Thornton; grandchildren, Kevin Childers of North Carolina and Rachel Renee Bassett of Tomball; and great grandchildren, Trent Bassett of Tomball and Bryson of Tomball; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family; and her dear Ruby.