Yvonne Cureton Basley was born on May 21, 1935 in Piedmont, South Carolina. She was the only child of Matthew and Helen Cureton.

Yvonne’s childhood days were spent among aunts, cousins and other loving family members. She often shared her cherished memories about the lifestyle and good times that she enjoyed in South Carolina. Musical family members taught Yvonne how to play the piano. As an adult her piano music ranged from playing the oldies to show tunes and classical pieces.

On December 31, 1954 (New Year’s Eve) Yvonne married the love of her life Rease Basley. This union lasted until Rease went to his eternal rest on October 9, 2012.

Yvonne graduated from the New School for Social Research (NYC) and Queens College (Queens, NY) where she majored in Management Services. In 1991, she retired from her position as Computer Associate at NYC Social Services.

Yvonne’s wide range of interest included reading, painting, music, gardening, knitting and crocheting afghans and quilts. Her other hobbies included assembling detailed doll houses, miniature towns and holiday theme displays.

Her greatest pastime was her doll collection. Few of the dolls were store-bought, for some she followed a pattern. But the majority of them were unique products of her own design. She used materials to create their hair, faces, forms and outfits. Her talent and passion is evident by the variety of this collection.

Yvonne’s surviving family members include Tyrone Williams (NY) nephew raised by Rease and Yvonne, cousins Lilly, Joan Eddie Lou Parrot (SC), and Louis Pearson (Buffalo, NY) brothers-in-law Rudolph Hill (TX) and Eddie Anderson (NY), James Blackman (NY), cousin and nephew Robert L. Williams (TX) and other family members and friends who wish we had more time with Yvonne Basley.

Lovingly Submitted
The Family