Debbie Elaine Rutherford Basnett, Class of 1975, passed away Wednesday, December 11.

Brother-in-law Dennis Basnett, Class of 1962, gave me the sad news.

Debbie and Michael Basnett, also Class of 1975, were married in 1980.

Debbie once was a caregiver at the Old Folks senior facility and is a Fairmont State graduate.

Her son, Carlton Basnett of Fairmont, married Pamela Bradley Basnett whose father, Clarence Bradley, Jr., Class of 1938, was a Monongahela Power enginering department retiree. Pam’s siblings are Michael Bradley of Parker, Pennsylvania, and Jeffery Bradley of Fairmont.

Monongah High has Basnetts throughout its history.

Starting with Roy Basnett, Class of 1932, and wife Doris Menear Basnett, Class of 1938, who were married 61 years.

Roy’s parents were Evelena Bock Basnett and William E. Basnett and Roy’s siblings were Tom Basnett, Dennis Basnett, Carlton Basnett, Charles Jackson Basnett, Class of 1969, and Michael Basnett.

 

Other Basnetts at Monongah High:

Raymond Basnett, Class of 1947.

Barbara Basnett Cain, who would have been in the Class of 1956 if she hadn’t left Monongah High and Worthington during her sophomore year, moved from Ohio back to Monongah in 1970. Her father was Paul Basnett, who drove both a school bus and a mine bus.

Nancy Riley Basnett, Class of 1960, same as Tom Basnett. Kerri Basnett is Nancy’s daughter.

Dennis Basnett is Class of 1962 and a Fairmont State grad.

Beverly Basnett Zaleski, Class of 1965.  

Jack Basnett, Class of 1969.

Debbie Rutherford Basnett Class of 1975.

I think Dennis Basnett’s father is the late Roy Basnett. Laura Basnett Shreve is Dennis’ daughter. Reed Patrick Basnett is his grandson.

Basnetts have been around Marion County a LONG time  -- before 1849, when the Basnettville Post Office (renamed Basnett Post Office in 1880) was established. The Basnett family had a store in Basnettville. The Post Office closed in 1903. Saint John’s Cemetery, next to the church, is sometimes referred to as Basnettsville Cemetery because Samuel Basnett donated the land for the cemetery.

Debra’s obituary:

Debra Elaine Basnett, 62, of Worthington, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, after her third battle with cancer, with her family by her side. She was born on May 29, 1957, in Fairmont, a daughter of the late Frank and Della (Rosser) Rutherford.

After graduating Monongah High School, Debra went on to proudly serve her country in the United States Army, where she was stationed in Korea. She later received an Associate’s Degree from Fairmont State University. She worked many customer service jobs and was a wonderful caregiver to her parents and grandparents until their passing. She will be remembered for her love of boating and spending time on the river, knitting, and visiting her grandchildren and the Caribbean, but most of all, for her love of family and friends.

She is survived by her loving husband of 39 years, Michael A. Basnett. The couple met in junior high and fell in love and married on April 12, 1980.

She is also survived by son, Todd Basnett and wife Tiffany, of Colorado; brother, Frank J. Rutherford III and wife Kelly, of Swisher Hill; sister, Linda David, of Farmington; grandchildren: River Basnett, Remington Basnett, and Ridge Basnett, of Colorado; brothers-in-law, Carlton Basnett and wife Pam, of Fairmont, Tom Basnett and wife Vicki, of Lumberport, Dennis Basnett and wife Judy, of Katy, and Jack Basnett, of Colorado; mother-in-law, Doris J. Basnett, of Worthington; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by grandparents: Frank and Sylvia Rutherford, and Charles and Lenore Rosser; brother-in-law, Michael “Modi” David; and father-in-law, Roy Basnett.

Family and friends are welcome to call at Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home, 209 Merchant St., Fairmont, on Saturday, December 28, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. until the memorial service at 1:00 p.m., at the funeral home, with Kevin Haugh officiating.