Alice Zallee "Allee" Bass

In her lifetime, Allee was identified by her devotion to her family, her friends and her faith. Allee was the finest hostess and created space and occasions to make others feel loved and special. She treasured spending time with family and friends, and created a home that reflected who she was: a person full of beauty, many purposes and overflowing with grace. Her home was a haven filled with family art, beautiful antiques and treasures gathered over time. She had an intuitive knowledge of how to make things work beautifully together. She excelled at making the dining table an oasis for family and friends through delicious meals, distinctive floral centerpieces, and much shared laughter and love. Allee’s sweet loving spirit was evident to all who knew her.

Alice Zallee Bass (Allee) was born in Amarillo, Texas on September 24,1940 to S.T. ‘Bud’ and Zallee Curtis and she died on May 20, 2026. She was the third child to siblings Steve, Don and Lynn and grew up in a loving family with many lasting friendships in Amarillo. She graduated from Amarillo High School in 1958 and then went to the University of Texas in Austin to study choral music. She had a particularly beautiful soprano voice.

In the summer of 1959 she and a group of friends went to Hawaii. There Allee met Robert “Bob” Bass from Muskogee, Oklahoma who was stationed in Hawaii while serving in the Navy. From their first blind date they felt a special kinship and fell head over heels in love in Hawaii. Allee returned to Texas with an engagement ring and an excitement in anticipation of the future with Bob. Their courtship continued via letters and her family grew to love Bob through his sweet letters. Once his Hawaii tour was over, he traveled to Amarillo to meet her family and to receive their blessings for the marriage. They married on November 25, 1961 at Westminster Presbyterian Church by Dr. James Skinner. It was a beautiful occasion with a large gathering of family and friends, including Bob’s sweet family from Muskogee and naval friends who were able to attend. It was a 52 year marriage that exemplified communication, trust, forgiveness, shared values, teamwork, deep commitment and an everlasting love for each other.

Bob and Allee enjoyed many years of Navy life and moved every 2-3 years during Bob’s twenty-five-year career. During that time they had two children, Steve, born in 1963, and Allison, born in 1965. Throughout Bob’s military career, this close knit family experienced living in many different places including cities and states on the East Coast, Albuquerque, New Mexico and lastly Puerto Rico where they retired from the Navy. The family then moved back to Amarillo to start their civilian lives in Allee’s hometown in 1977.

Allee was the finest military wife and mother, and continued taking care of her family as they transitioned to Amarillo raising her children and supporting Bob during his career as a loan officer at the First National Bank. While her family came first, Allee still had many outside interests and hobbies. She was involved in the Amarillo Junior League, (especially during the Funfest years), participated in two Birthday Clubs, gave her time to various volunteer groups, sang in the Sanctuary choir at First Presbyterian Church, was a regular member of Sunday School class and spent a season teaching Children’s Sunday School with Bob. She was always a faithful member of the church. She also loved classical music and was a devoted member of the Amarillo Symphony Guild. As the kids got older, she then began working at The Little Brown House and then Steinmart for many years. Allee was always moving and made sure her days were full and productive. She was a woman of action and if you knew her well, you knew she didn't let dust settle for long.

Allee is preceded in death by her husband, Bob and her brother Steve Curtis. She is survived by her brother Don Curtis, her sister Lynn Besselman and husband Jim, and her sister-in-law Jerre Curtis. She is also survived by her son Steve and wife Terri, and their sons, Barrett and wife Danea, and Breuer and wife Allie. She is also survived by her daughter, Allison and husband Dennis Silvertooth, and their daughters, Shelby and husband Josh Davis and Lyndee Silvertooth. Nieces and nephews include: Margaret McDermid, Teel Curtis, Sara Robinson, Riley Curtis, Chancy West, Shannon O’Brien, and Curt Besselman who all hold special memories of family gatherings at Allee’s house.

We will be forever thankful for Allee’s amazing friends and family that made her life so rich and filled with love. Allee loved well and was well loved. May God bless you. Also the family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mary Carrasco and the team of loving women of Mary’s house for their unwavering patience, gentle kindness, and constant support during Allee’s final years.

A small private graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 6th at 1:00 PM for family at Llano Cemetery with Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church in the sanctuary led by Murray Gossett and Dan Carter, located at 1100 S Harrison. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church.