Randa Agnes Ball

Randa Agnes Hooven Ball,79, of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan passed away on August 20, 2026. Randa was born on August 19, 1947, to parents John and Ina Hooven. She grew up on Detroit’s Northwest side graduating from Cooley High School in 1965. Randa was the first in her family to receive a college degree. She graduated from Wayne State University studying elementary education and minoring in music with an emphasis in voice. After graduation, Randa taught school and performed with Michigan Opera Theater now Detroit Opera. While spending a summer in New York City singing, she met her husband William Otis Ball Jr. They were married on June 20, 1976, on Block Island, Rhode Island and raised a family of three children.

Randa is remembered for being a strong advocate for her three blind children: Edward, Nicholas, and Katharine, always being supportive, and encouraging their dreams and aspirations. She persevered in spite of resistance from the educational authority, as well as some community ostracism. It would be fair to say without her unrelenting spirit and dauntless struggle against the status quo, her children wouldn’t have received the quality of education that they did. Her support of her children continued throughout their educational careers including, but not limited to ensuring that they attended their extracurricular activities such as wrestling practices, tournaments, and music events.

She was proud of their achievements such as Edward being on the front page of the Detroit Free Press for being a blind wrestler, and being a graduate with Honors from Harvard, as well as Katharine’s accomplishments as an opera singer with low vision including her recent role debut of Iolanta, her undergraduate degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, and her Master’s degrees from both New York University and University of Michigan. Randa did everything she could to make sure Nicholas, who is both blind and autistic, could lead a meaningful life. Not only was she proud of her children’s accomplishments, but she was also proud of Edward’s daughter, her granddaughter, Afifah Ball’s early admission into Princeton University in 2024.

Randa is predeceased by her parents, John and Ina Hooven and brother, David Hooven; reuniting with them in the afterlife. Randa is survived by her husband, Bill Ball; sisters Marcia Bunday and Christine (Bob) MacRae along with her sisters-in-law Karen Hooven and Martha Ball; children Edward, Nicholas, Katharine (Andrew) Meagher; her lovely granddaughter, Afifah “Fifi” Ball.

Randa was one who would go the extra mile for anyone who needed help. She was a tireless champion of the underdog. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to encouraging in various ways a wide range of artists, and artistic causes, even working as an artist model for several universities in the Detroit area. Randa was always larger than life, and made her presence known whenever she entered a room. With a camera always with her, Randa captured her family’s special moments. This, along with the spirit and happiness that Randa provided, will be greatly missed.

A visitation for Randa will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at A.H. Peters Funeral Home located at 20705 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. A funeral will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 11:00am at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church located at 20475 Sunningdale Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI.