Libertad “Libby” O. Basham
Libertad “Libby” O. Basham died on September 2, 2023, at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, at the age of 82. She was born on July 24, 1941, in the village of Sapian, Capiz in the Philippines to the late Conrado and Visitacion Oñas. Libby was the 4th of ten children. She leaves behind a legacy of sacrifice, presence, family, and her belief that success for her family would be through pursuit of education.
As a young person, Libby helped her siblings with their schooling and helped care for her family and other families in her village. Upon moving to the United States, she settled in Lewisport, Kentucky, with her then husband, John W. Basham, of Breckinridge Co. She raised their three children in Hancock Co. An extremely hard worker, she worked third shift and as much overtime as she could get for many years at Omico Plastics in Owensboro, KY, and cleaned houses as well.
After her retirement, she relocated to Athens, Georgia, and then to Providence, Rhode Island, where she lived in the care of her daughter Ruby and her family. She took immense pride and joy in her children and grandchildren and their array of accomplishments. She was also devout in her Catholic faith. Her proudest accomplishment was being Lola to her seven grandchildren.
Libby was an avid gardener, always able to coax life and bounty from even the simplest of garden plots. She enjoyed reminiscing about her childhood in the Philippines and liked keeping up-to-date on current events. While she was small in stature, she had a big personality – she loved deeply, laughed easily, and found joy in the ordinary. While in many ways she had a hard life, she enjoyed some golden years and a peaceful exit.
Libby is survived by three children: Ruby Basham (John Chamblee), Providence, Rhode Island; Melanie (Toby) Pearce, Flora, Illinois; and Anthony (Katie) Basham, Berea, Kentucky; beloved grandchildren: Jack, Freeman, and Aurelia Basham Chamblee; Maddux, Paxon, and Alyxandra Pearce; and Henry Basham; and sisters Gilda and Lydia; along with countless nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and seven siblings. A celebration of life will be planned by her family later this year.
