By Kingsley Dike
Mrs. Elizabeth Bassey, a respected businesswoman and wife of late Chief Anthony Jacob Bassey, former Human Resources Manager of Chevron Oil Company PLC, Warri, Delta State has peacefully passed away at the age of 72. Her departure leaves behind a profound legacy of love and devotion to her family and community.
According to a statement by Mr. Edekamba Bassey for the family, Mrs. Bassey transitioned from this world surrounded by the warmth and presence of her family and loved ones. Her passing was the result of a brief illness brought by complications from Kidney dialysis at Wellstar Hospital, Austell, Georgia, United States on the 8th of January, 2026, marking a painful end of a life well lived.
Mrs. Bassey’s life was defined by her unwavering commitment to her family and community. After a long career as a business woman owning and operating several store fronts in Warri, Delta State, she made an indelible mark by volunteering at the request of her son inlaw to be with her then pregnant daughter and her young family in Atlanta, United States at a time her daughter’s husband SFC Kingsley Dike was unavailable as a result of his service as a soldier in the United States Army.
Mr. Dike credits her selflessness and dedication in supporting her daughter and his family for his successful 15-year military service that included among others two combat tour of duty to Iraq and three overseas tour of duty.
Beyond her contributions to her family, Mrs. Bassey actively participated in the development of her paternal community of Ubulu-Uku in Delta State and her matrimonial city of Calabar in Cross River state. She supported the education of many in those communities, particularly continuing the legacies of her late husband Chief Anthony Jacob Bassey in funding the education of several children in Biqwor area of Calabar.
In Ubulu Uku, she trained several community members in the retail business in Warri, and setting them up for business success by giving them both start up capital and in some instances donating her own store to deserving mentees as she relocated to join her daughter in the United States.
One of Mrs. Bassey’s most remarkable feats was her advocacy for the rights of the girl-child, to good education particularly those that have endured the harsh impact of life on the streets. , She was known to have welcomed strangers and non-family members into her own home and raised them as her own children. Her tireless efforts brought much-needed relief and attention to the challenges faced by the girl-child in Warri markets, earning her the respect and admiration of many.
Mrs. Bassey was preceeded in death by her husband Chief Anthony Jacob Bassey but leaves behind a loving family of six children and many grandchildren. Among them are Mrs. Tilda Dike, Mrs. Rita Okoise, Mr. Dandy Bassey, Mr. Koko Bassey, Ms. Victoria Bassey and Mr. Edekamba Bassey, all of whom carry forward her legacy of service and community engagement.
Edekamba Bassey, the spokesman for the family, says the details of Mrs. Bassey’s funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, providing an opportunity for friends, family, and the broader Nigerian community in the Atlanta area to pay their respects to a remarkable individual whose life was marked by selflessness and dedication to the betterment of her family and the less privileged in society. Her memory will live on as an inspiration to all who knew her..
