Glennis Ann Bassi, age 79, passed away on November 24, 2021. Her favorite pastime was talking with family and friends. She was an avid historian, devoted teacher, faithful sister, and a friend to all. She had been a resident of McMinnville, Tennessee for 53 years. Glennis was born in a cabin in Jonesborough, Tennessee on July 22, 1942. She went to East Tennessee State University where she obtained her undergraduate degree and then on to Tennessee Technological School earning her Master's Degree in Education. Her family came from a long line of teachers and principals. She was a teacher in the Brevard County School System living in Merritt Island, Florida where she met Don Bassi. They wed in June 1965. They moved to Tennessee where she taught in several school systems for 30 years. After retiring as Assistant Principal for Irving College, she worked diligently to open the Warren County Teacher's Center.

Glennis loved politics and wasn't shy about speaking her mind on the happenings of government. She was campaign manager for Shelby Rhinehart, a Tennessee House Representative and Mayor of Spencer, Tennessee for 12 years. They were very close friends along with Jim Cooper and Al Gore. She was of the Catholic faith and attended Mass at both Saint Catherine's in McMinnville and Saint Mark's in Manchester.

Glennis was preceded in death by her father Blanco Lewis who was killed in action in WW II, mother Selma Franklin Lewis Maltsberger, step dad Basil Maltsberger, and her husband of 52 years, Don Bassi. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Randy and Bobbi Maltsberger of Knoxville, Tennessee, niece Hali Hoag (Jared Hoag husband), nephew Hunter Maltsberger, great niece Laurel Hoag, and great nephew Julian Hoag. She was very close to her Grandmother Bessie Franklin, Uncles and Aunts-Loyce and Patsy Franklin, J.B. and Geneva Robinson, Cline and Betty Franklin, and Everett and Nancy Franklin and loved all her special cousins and their families-Vicki Harris, Debbie Coates, Jimmy Cline, Johnny & Patty Franklin, Kathy Seaton and Michael Franklin. The Bassi family was very dear to her also, she was always talking about Noel, Drew, and Mike and their many children. Most precious to her was her father's family – the Lewis'. She never really got to know her father since she was so young when he was killed in action, but she got to know and love numerous Lewis' cousins. She would attend their family reunion every year in September with over 150 cousins. They would gather at the Old Rice's Store on Big Laurel Creek playing music and celebrating their ancestors that lived in Madison County, North Carolina for 9 generations. Glennis would place flowers on her father's grave every year of her life. She was very close to her grandparents Harrison and Cora Lewis, and had a special relationship with her Uncle Ralph Lewis. Ralph was a Bluegrass Boy with Bill Monroe and the Grand Ole Opry. Glennis not only loved her family, she developed a special love for her caregiver and close friend Vickie Sparks. She had a special friend that was by her side for many years Teresa Frothingham. And most precious to her was her best friend Cathie Bryan whom she met in 1973, a friendship spanning almost 50 years and a fellow teacher.

Memorial services were conducted January 15, 2022 at Bascom United Methodist Church, 5311 Vervilla Rd., Morrison, Tennessee 37357. Inurnment followed at Bascom Cemetery. The family received friends at the church from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. with service following. There was a reception in the fellowship hall of the church following Inurnment. Memorial donations can be made to Warren County Retired Teachers Association in memory of Glennis Bassi c/o Kerry Mullican-3220 Post Road, McMinnville, TN 37110.