FRANCES BASS GINSBERG

Long-time Bishopville resident, businesswoman and mother, Frances Bass Ginsberg passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, following a long period of ill health.

Mrs. Ginsberg was born Frances Ruby Bass in 1925 and was raised in North, South Carolina, where she was one of seven children of Nathan and Esther Bass, owners of the Bass Mercantile Co. She and her brothers and sisters grew up working at the store. Following her high school graduation, she attended the University of South Carolina. In 1949, she married Arthur Ginsberg of Bishopville, where the couple made their home and their livelihood, managing the family's store, Ginsberg's Ladies Shop. Following her husband's death in 1988, Mrs. Ginsberg and her daughter, Nancy Thornton, ran the store until it closed in 2008.

Mrs. Ginsberg was a loving mother to her daughters and a fine surrogate mother to many others. She showed that it was possible to be both a working woman and a caring, involved mother, whether that meant serving as Girl Scout Cookie chairwoman or chaperoning band trips and beach parties. She was very active with the business community in Bishopville and was named Bishopville Business Person of the Year in 2005. She enjoyed playing cards, squaredancing with her husband and being with her family and friends.

Mrs. Ginsberg was predeceased by her beloved husband, Arthur.

She is survived by three daughters, Nancy Thornton of Camden, Beverly (Sid) Lande of Dallas and Sally (Robert) Waters of Gulfport, Florida; three grandsons, Eamon (Jess) Thornton of Chattanooga, John (Hillary) Lande of Austin, Texas, and Ken Lande (Brooke) of Los Angeles; and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Jack Bass, of Columbia; and two sisters, Marcia Brody of Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, and Lucille Bass of Beaufort.

A visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. today at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home in Bishopville.

A small family graveside service will be held in Sumter at Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks for donations to be sent to McCoy Memorial Nursing Center, 207 Chappell St., Bishopville, SC 29010.