Obituary of Carl Lewis Basham

Carl Lewis Basham, 86, of Salem passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2015. He was a son of the late Irving and Dessie Carroll Basham. Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Joyce Yopp Basham; sister, Thelma Lucado of Martinsville; brother-in-law, George Yopp, Jr. and wife Louise; sister-in-law, Dolly Grantham, special and devoted friends, Lynn and Stephanie Carroll, Bill and Doris Toppel, Eddie and Connie French, and Stuart Wright, and numerous other friends, cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Bill, Jimmy, Eldridge, Elwood, Harold, and Bobby Basham and brother-in-law, Buddy Grantham. Mr. Basham served his country in the Army during the Korean War. He retired from the Maintenance Department of Roanoke County Schools as a Painting Supervisor. In years passed he served as pastor at Bend Union Chapel and later at Maranatha Baptist Church. Carl was well known for his love of Bluegrass Music and was an accomplished banjo picker and guitar player. He served as Chaplain for the Roanoke Fiddle and Banjo Club for many years. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road by the Rev. Charles Leonard. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday at Simpson Funeral Home. 366-0707