Mary Minnie Ball

Shall renew their strength:

They shall mount up with wings like eagles;

They shall run and not be weary;

They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30

(Kingsport) Mary Crawford Ball, 88, passed away Wednesday morning (September 25, 2013) at Indian Path hospital, after a long struggle with serious illness. Her children and grandchildren were gathered at her bedside when her Heavenly Father took her home so peacefully. God is Good. Mary Minnie was born November 9, 1924 in Mill Creek, Sullivan County, and named for her two Grandmas, Minnie Nelms and Mary Crawford. She grew up in the Depew’s Chapel community of Long Hollow, helping her father cut timber on Bays Mountain; then alongside her husband for many years farming tobacco. Mary Minnie was a sweet, loving Mother, Sister and Grandmother; well loved for her laughter and humor, she loved singing gospel quartet and Bill Monroe bluegrass songs; well known for her love of hard work; gardening, yard work, and cleaning house for many families in Kingsport; well remembered for her country cooking, especially her homemade biscuits and cornbread. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Clifford Ball; parents, John and Pearl Crawford; and Sister, Clara Lee Crawford. Surviving are her three children, Marie (Robert) Wolfe, Betty Debord, and Charles (Becki )Ball; five grandchildren, Gale (Steve) Pierson, Karen (Tim) Ruskey, April (Chad) Shaffer, Matthew Ball, and Kelly Ball; six great-grandchildren, Darby, Jacob, Danielle, Aaron, Will and Noah; three great-great grandchildren, Nicole, Kegan and Nevaeh; four sisters, Gladys Duncan, Trula Waycaster, Geraldine Scalf, Joyce (Fred) McMurray; two brothers, Harold (Bess) Crawford and Gene (Carolyn) Crawford; many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Andy Delwadia, Dr. Bendeck, Chaplin Ron Lowe, and Nursing Staff at Indian Path Hospital for their care and kindness. Graveside services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 at East Lawn Memorial Park. East Lawn Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ball family, please visit www.eastlawnkingsport.com to leave a condolence for the family.