Veronica Joyce Porter-Bassi

Veronica Joyce (Porter) Bassi “Chaka Khan” was born on Tuesday, July 21, 1959, to the late Maderia Kennedy Porter and Julian Bland in New Rochelle, New York. Veronica was born the 3rd of 6 children. She was the loudest and most outgoing one out of the bunch. Veronica was also very nurturing, loving, and helpful to everyone. She loved cooking, planting flowers, and music.

Her favorite artists were Michael Jackson and Chaka Khan, hence her nickname “Chaka Khan”. She moved to Detroit, Michigan where she resided for 36 years. January 5, 2000, she was joined in holy matrimony to the love of her, James Robert Bassi. Veronica took pride in being a doting and dedicated housewife to James for 26 years. She joined Greater Zachariah Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. During her visits home, she attended and later joined Becoming Outreach Ministries (BOOM) in 2021. She attended BOOM faithfully while in Georgia and virtually when she was in Detroit. On Friday, January 16, 2026, Veronica depart this life unexpectedly for a home over in Zion. Veronica was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister Kristi Mechelle Porter. 

Those left to cherish her fond memories her husband James Robert Bassi (Detroit, MI), two sons, Kelcey Porter (Columbus, OH) and Robert Bates Porter. Her five bonus children: Timothy (Rachel) Bassi, Tina Shaar, Tammy (Jason) Parish, James (Nicole) Bassi, and Jamie (David) Kelly all of Detroit, Michigan, three brothers Robert Porter (Phoenix, AZ), Ronnie (Jennifer) Bland (Port Wentworth, GA), and Jeffrey Porter (Stone Mountain, GA); one sister, Karla Porter Bacon (Glennville, GA.), three Godchildren: Cortez Johnson (Detroit, MI), Duston Johnson (Glennville, GA), and Sharkeena Cain (Hinesville, GA); a Godmother Dr. Pastor Lillie Pearl Taylor (Glennville, GA.), 24 Grandchildren, 3 Great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews that she loved dearly. Also, amongst the family that are mourning her lost but celebrates her life are a multitude of friends and a few special friends: Patrica Edgar Davis, Salena Alston, Diane Fate, Mary Sue Porter, Gina Byrd, Gracie Phillips, Sheree Gibson, Minister Evangeline Tomblin, Carolyn Wyman, Linda McDade and Anthony Caswell.