Anna Ball White

Mrs. Anna Ball White, 98, died quietly and peacefully at home on Lookout Mountain on May 10. A native of Cleveland, Tennessee, she was one of nine children born to James and Lou Ella Ball. After attending the Cleveland schools, she was married for over 50 years to J. Fred White, a home builder,

After her marriage, Anna Ball White felt that her primary and favorite role was homemaker, which included three hot meals a day for her husband, and later for their daughter. Soon her creative abilities in design and sewing became evident. First, she created beautiful lingerie and handbags which were sold to stores throughout the South, such as Pickett’s in Chattanooga, Isaacson’s in Atlanta, and Belk Lindsey Department Stores in Florida.

Recognizing her expertise, young women began asking Anna Ball to make their prom and wedding dresses. The requests became so numerous that she built a small manufacturing plant where 12 seamstresses made the beautiful dresses designed by Anna Ball. Then she moved her retail business to a store in the Village Mall in Cleveland. Here again her designs were featured by stores in the South. At a time when many women did not work outside the home, Anna Ball was an outstanding entrepreneur as well as loving wife and mother.

The White’s only daughter, Patricia (Trish) White became an Interior Designer for Rich’s in Atlanta. When she married a Chattanoogan, John Foy, she took over her mother’s business and moved it to the Hamilton Place Mall in Chattanooga.

Known by her friends as a positive, creative and loving person of faith, Anna Ball was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church in Cleveland where her memorial service will be held.

Survivors include one daughter, Patricia (Trish) Foy, a son-in-law, John Foy, one sister, Ita Lacy of Cleveland, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Fred White, six brothers.and one sister.

The family expressed deep appreciation for excellent caregivers: Dr. Scott Grivas, Hazel Lacy, Melinda Nix, Jacqueline Lewin, Elaine Powell.

Her memorial service will be on Thursday, May 12, at 1 p.m. at the old First Baptist Church at the corner of Central Avenue and Church Street (Lee University) in downtown Cleveland, Tennessee. Family members will greet friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church and afterward in the Fellowship Hall in the lower level of the Church. Dr. Dwight Kilbourne will preside at the service. There will be a private burial.

Gifts may be sent to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 2368, Cleveland, TN 37320; Wildwood Lifestyle, P.O. Box 129, Wildwood, GA 30757; DART, P.O. Box 9, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350; Humane Society, 212 North Highland Park Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel 404 South Moore Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37412.