Grace L. Bast

Grace Lorene Bast passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the age of 92 leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. Born in Edmond, Oklahoma to Roscoe and Martha (née Myers) Jordan, she was the youngest of eight brothers and sisters. 

The Jordan family moved from Oklahoma to a small farm outside of Falfurrias, Texas during the Depression. The family built and lived in the garage while the house was constructed.  After high school she attended Draughon’s Practical Business College in San Antonio, Texas.  Worked for Central Power & Light as a cashier in Falfurrias and Premont, Texas where she met the love of her life, Calvin Bast, and they were married November 27, 1952 on the Jordan family farm. 

Grace and Calvin lived in Alice, Texas where all four children were born.  The family moved to Kingsville, Texas in 1967.  Here, Grace was a housewife, knew the value of a dollar, and how to put food on the table with a limited budget.  She could whip up a meal from scratch or choose from a collection of recipes from family and friends.  Many of those recipes are still enjoyed today in the form of recipe books she made and gifted to her children.  As a mother, she taught her children practical skills for surviving life and urged them to pursue paths of independence.  One of her many life hacks was that if all else failed you could “truck farm”.

Grace loved to play a variety of card, domino and board games.  Some of her favorites included: Canasta, 42, Wahoo, Pegs & Jokers, and she played to win.  Her competitive spirit continued the last few years, she could still play a mean game of Skip Bo. 

In addition, she enjoyed plants, gardening and feeding backyard birds.  There were tomatoes, cacti, trees, stinky stapelia flowers, doves, squirrels, cats, and most recently, neighbor chickens.  

She was a devout Christian and member of First Presbyterian Church of Kingsville. She attended church regularly, baked cookies for fellowship, and made flower arrangements for Sunday services; she even gave pointers to the pastor from time to time.

Grace's memory will be cherished by all those who had the privilege of knowing her. Let us remember her not with sorrow but with gratitude for having known such a remarkable individual whose presence brought light and love into the lives of many. May she rest in peace knowing that she was truly loved and will be forever missed.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Calvin R. Bast; daughter, Loretta A. Bast; parents, Roscoe and Martha Jordan; and all of her brothers and sisters.

Among those left to cherish her memory are her children, Vicki S. Bast, Ross A. Bast, and Bill A. (Leah) Bast; grandchildren, Becky, T.J, Billy, Chad, Nathan, Jeremy, Matthew, and Daniel; great-grandchildren, Amanda, Emily, Connor, and Hudson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. 

A celebration of life will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the pavilion of Mineral Cemetery, Mineral, Texas.  A private urn burial will follow.