Louise Bernice Basey

February 13, 1925 - September 28, 2022

Louise Basey, a renowned concert pianist, transitioned from time to eternity on September 28, 2022, at the age of 97.
The daughter of the late Reverend Nathaniel and Hannah Foster was born on February 13, 1925, in Palo Pinto, Texas.
She and her family moved to Breckenridge, Texas, where she met and married the love of her life, Wayne Basey.
They had two sons, Wendell and Aaron. In 1942, they moved to Oakland, California, where she was active at Beth Eden Baptist Church.
Louise was the Director of the Senior and Youth Choirs until she resigned in 1963 due to illness.
After regaining her health, she became the music director at All Faith Community Church in Oakland.
She also directed the Oakland Community Choir. Her primary love, however, was playing the piano.
She started playing the piano at five, and by age eleven, she was the pianist for the senior choir at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Breckenridge, Texas.
She loved playing songs composed by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and other classical composers.
Louise furthered her education in music, winning a scholarship to study concert repertoire at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
She was the featured performer at various venues in the Bay Area. She was instrumental in
selecting performers for the San Francisco Festival of Arts, a project of the Arts Commission.
She accompanied exceptional vocalists, many having toured Europe and sang at the San Francisco Symphony.
She worked and retired from Alameda County Social Services as a supervisor.
After her retirement, Louise moved to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Besides playing music, she played bridge and, as she would tell her sons, went to her job playing the penny slot machines.
Aaron, her youngest son, moved to Las Vegas in the late 80s to live with her until his passing on September 16, 2022.
Louise leaves to cherish her memories, one son, Wendell and (Hazel), of Union City, California.
Five grandchildren, Catherine Riddick and (Steve), Las Vegas, Nevada; Karen Basey, Vallejo, California;
Deborah Kelly, Milpitas, California; Bryan Basey, Sacramento, California; Reginald Basey and (Tamisha), Union City, California;
seventeen great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.
Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Basey; her son, Aaron Basey; her grandson, Terrence Basey; her grandson Eric Basey, and her sister Velma Wade.

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I am missing my grandmother Louise, who I was accustom to calling by her first name, Louise. I was told she preferred to be called by her birth name, Louise, and not grandma, Nana, or any other title generally given to grandmothers. So, I did what I was told my entire life and respectfully called my grandmother Louise, with much love and endearment. The meaning of Louise’s name is a perfect description of who she is – a description online says, “a renowned fighter and one who is destined to stand their ground with courage.” That’s Louise – unafraid, intelligent, witty, talented, a leader, teacher, and she didn’t care to be bothered by people who just couldn’t get it right. Louise taught me to play the piano at a very young age with “Mary Had a Little Lamb” being my first tune to play. She had me to perform my first tune in a recital she organized. Needless to say, I didn’t get past “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” but it was a good first introduction to reading music. I remember attending musicals she directed and concerts where she was the featured pianist and feeling proud of Louise. As a child, I have fond memories of visiting her in Oakland at her home on Deerwood Street and later at her home on Hood Street. Visiting the Hood Street home was a special treat for the grandchildren because the Knowland Park Zoo was right next door and a visit to the zoo was made a part of our visit. Louise’s laughter was infectious and I loved her passion for enjoying life. I remember before each meal, she recited the verse, “The Lord is my Sheperd; I shall not want,” – that verse conveyed how she lived her life – God would take care of her and she will never be in need. Oh, I am missing my dearly beloved grandmother, Louise.

I remember Louise Basey as a sweet, sweet spirit that I loved to be around and one who willing shared her bountiful gifts with others. She shared her delicious chicken pate with me, which was a most delicious treat, as she patiently taught me the game of bridge. She shared her musical gifts as you listened to the voices of a female group called the “Melodettes”, a group she trained to sing in very close harmony. Louise was an intellectual and always learning about something. She learned how to knit and taught me to knit, gifting me with her first knitted hat which I still have. She took classes in French at Oakland City college and shared her French vocabulary cards with me, which I have passed on to a younger generation. I vividly remember Louise as music director at Church of All Faiths and the time she staged a professional musical that could easily compare to an off-Broadway musical in New York City. I will always cherish the invaluable gifts, beautiful memories and sweet, sweet spirit of Louise. My deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to the family of Louise Basey. Laura A. Taylor-Johnson

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