JIMMY FRANKLIN BALL SR.
July 11, 1931-Feb. 21, 2016
Jimmy Franklin Ball Sr., 84, died Sunday, Feb. 21, at the Mount Olive Center in Mount Olive following a brief illness.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Jean Sawyer Ball; their five children,
Carolyn Ann Ball and her husband, Ken of Mount Olive, Beverly D. Wilson and her husband, Brad, of Holly Springs, Jimmy F. Ball Jr., and his wife, Pamela of Germany, John Thomas Ball and his wife, Pam of Mount Olive, and Michael Wayne Ball, and his wife, Brenda, of Faison; eight grandchildren, Marlyn B. Dail and her husband, Ryan, John Thomas Ball Jr. and his wife, Marielle, Mathew S. Bolling, Thomas Ball, Kathryn Wilson, Eric Ball, Jensen Wilson and Ella Wilson; and one great-grandchild, Django Ball.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents; Walter Elijah and Evelyn Mae Wilson Ball; his siblings, Lucy B. Cartwright, Clara B. Brantly, Walter Ball and Durwood Ball.
Born and raised in Weeksville, N.C., the son of Walter Elijah and
Evelyn Mae Wilson Ball, he was a longtime resident of Mount Olive.
In his early years Mr. Ball farmed with his father. After graduating from Weeksville High School and his marriage to Jean he attended the 24th basic class of the Highway Patrol, graduating in 1958. He was nominated as Patrolman of the Year in 1981.
He was a former Mount Olive town commissioner, a Freemason, member of Mount Olive Lodge No. 208 and a Shriner for over 50 years.
After his retirement from the Highway Patrol in 1986, he ran and operated Antiques Plus in downtown Mount Olive. He not only took pride in his work, but truly relished the friends he made during his time in business.
Mr. Ball had a passion for gardening, fishing, squirrel hunting, clock making and repair, and Southern Gospel music. He also loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Mount Olive, serving on various committees throughout the years.
Services to remember Jimmy will be held on Friday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Olive. Dr. Dennis Draper and the Rev. Marti Hatch will be officiating the service, followed by inurnment in the Maplewood Cemetery, Mount Olive. Honors by the N.C. Highway Patrol will be rendered by the graveside.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening, from 6 to 8 p.m., and at other times at the residence in Mount Olive. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Shriners Hospital for Children.
Arrangements are with Tyndall Funeral Home.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on February 23, 2016 1:49 PM