Nell Winslett Bassett

Mary Nell Winslett Bassett was born on January 29, 1928, at home on Fairview Street in Troy, Alabama, to Marvin and Pearle Winslett. As Nell grew up, her best friend became Jean Quarles Mary, who lived one street over on Orange Street. These precocious girls, lifelong friends, were seldom seen apart from each other. Nell's father died at 54, when she was only 14, beginning a trying time for daughter and mother, but they endured. Nell did well at Troy High School, earning valedictorian honors. She continued her education at Auburn University, transferring after two years to the University of Alabama, to be with her fiancé, Jim Bassett. They were married in the Troy First Methodist Church, and, after graduating from Alabama, lived in the house where Nell was born. She had three boys, Marvin, Philip, and Richard, who were raised with much love by her and her mother, affectionately known as Nana. As the boys grew up, Nell worked at Ethel Eagan's kindergarten; the Troy Public Library, which included a stint traveling throughout several counties on the bookmobile; the Troy State Laboratory School, where she served as librarian; and, finally, at the Troy State Library as a reference librarian, the position from which she retired. Earlier, Nell and Nana moved across town to Woodland Circle. Nell enjoyed working in the yard; walking around the neighborhood; staying active in professional, social, and church groups; eating out with friends; traveling around the country with her sister-in-law Eleanor Bassett on bus trips; and having her grandchildren over to her home, reading to them, and taking them to fun places in town. She would often treat her family to excursions here and there, such as the Atlanta area, where they dined at Chequers Restaurant in Marietta and took in “The Secret Garden” at the Fox Theater. Somewhere in all of this, she became known in her family as “Pooh,” a term of endearment that reflected the same kind, low-key, humorous, self-deprecating qualities she shared with A. A. Milne's silly old bear Winnie-the-Pooh. As time passed, Nell lost Nana, her marriage to Jim ended, and she adjusted to living by herself, but never alone, always enjoying the company of family and friends. With advancing age, she began experiencing memory issues that precluded her remaining at home. With the help and support of her family, she moved to Noble Manor in Troy, an assisted living facility that later became Serenity South, where she resided for the past five years. Old age and dementia took their toll, and Nell began to decline but still recognized the members of her family and enjoyed talking to them. Aged 98 years, Pooh passed away on February 14, 2026, Valentine’s Day, which was appropriate, considering all the love she gave and received.

Nell is survived by her sons, Marvin Bassett (Elaine), Philip Bassett (Kathy), and Richard Bassett (Pam); grandchildren, Katie Mead (Jeremy), Mellie Bassett, Allison Arnold (Bart), Jeffrey Bassett, Lacey Helms (Adam), Blake Bassett (Catie), Stephanie Snyder (Bart), and Heather Owen; great-grandchildren, Ben Temple, Aubrey Bassett, Axel Helms, Gracie Helms,  Maddie Bassett, Wesley Bassett, Brock Snyder (Masey), Will Snyder, Jackson Owen, Addison Owen, and Karson Owen; great-great grandchild, Barrett Snyder; and cousins, Tom Whatley (Laura), Elizabeth Randolph (Terry), and Hoyt Winslett Jr.

For their compassionate caring for Nell, the family wishes to thank Dr. Todd Pearlstein, Dr. Eric Law, the staff of Serenity South at Troy, the staff of Compassus Hospice, especially Jordyn Hollis, Laura Hollis, and Cary Maulden, and her sitter, Veronica Hodges.

Visitation for Nell will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 1:00 until 2:00 at Green Hills Funeral Home in Troy, Alabama, and her service will take place thereafter at 2:00 in the Green Hills chapel with the Reverend Steve Winton officiating.

Memorials may be sent to the Troy First Methodist Church, 213 North Three Notch St., Troy, AL 36081 or to Compassus Hospice, 121 Scouting Circle, Troy, AL 36081.

The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bassett family.