Cleveland Bass

FROM THE BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS BY DAVID MONTGOMERY AND MARK GREEN: Elder Jimmie Cleveland Bass was born on February 7, 1938 to Elder Jimmie Bass and Lora Mae (Miller) Bass in Plainview, Texas. He joined the Primitive BaptistChurch in August 1949, at Rule, Texas at the Mount Zion Unity Association and was baptized by Elder Sam Holt. In 1960 he married the former Dora Faye Roberson in February. To this union four children were born. I do not know if I ever really had an experience of the call to the ministry. I do know I had a feeling from an early age that I might have to stand before God's people someday. Several times I was asked to open the services for my father, but I would always refuse, and then feel worse than if I had gone ahead and tried. I finally told the Lord that the next time that I was called on to open the services, I would do the best I knew how, Elder Vernon Venable was my pastor and he took me outside just before preaching service and asked if I would introduce for him that morning. I hesitated then remembered what I had told the Lord, so I said that I would try, and I have been trying ever since. I was ordained to the ministry in March 1964. I was so scared that day that the only part of the service that I remember is the charge delivered by my Father and his questions that he asked me during the charge.