Jimmy Franklin Ball Sr.

Jimmy Franklin Ball Sr.

MOUNT OLIVE - Jimmy Franklin Ball, Sr., 84, died Sunday, Feb. 21, at the Mt. Olive Center in Mt. Olive NC, 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, NC, the son of Walter Elijah and Evelyn Mae Wilson Ball, he was a longtime resident of Mt. 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 Mt. Olive town commissioner, a Free Mason, member of Mount Olive Lodge # 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 Mt. 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 Mt. Olive serving on various committees throughout the years.

Services to remember Jimmy will be held on Friday February 26, at 2:00 in the afternoon, at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Olive. Dr. Dennis Draper, 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 6-8pm, and at other times at the residence in Mount Olive. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Shriner's Hospital for Children.

A Tyndall Service.

As published in The Daily Advance