Connie Ball MacGill

Connie Ball MacGill, 77, of Holly Springs, NC passed away peacefully January 11, 2024 surrounded by her family. She is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil Ball and Pearl Lowery Ball, and her brother, Dave Ball. Connie is survived by her daughter, Andrea Helton (Rick), and her son, Jeremy Payne (Laura); brother, Sam Ball, and sisters, Sandy Bryan and Suzy Shultz; and her grandchildren whom she adored: Nikki Birkenstock (Chad), Chase Helton (Elise), Caden Payne, Mason Payne, Mackenzie Payne, and Jackson Payne.
Born October 19, 1946 in Galion, OH, Connie grew up on a small farm with two older brothers and two younger sisters. They had pigs, chickens, steers, and lots of ponies. Connie's hobbies and activities growing up included playing the clarinet and the accordion, playing basketball, and varsity cheerleading. After high school graduation, she moved to Washington D.C. to work for the FBI in the fingerprinting department. Her career continued with the federal government as an Administrative Assistant with the weather service at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and then at the Department of Commerce. Connie eventually moved to North Carolina to be close to her children and first grandchild where she worked until her retirement at the EPA.
Connie was an amazing Grandma! She absolutely loved spending time with her grandchildren, whether it be playing board games, having sleepovers with pancake breakfasts, or just eating hamburgers or getting ice cream together. She attended every athletic game and school event possible that each grandchild had, and was always the loudest cheerleader.
She enjoyed hosting dinner parties, gardening, spending time with friends, going to the beach, traveling, driving in her convertible, trips to visit family in Ohio, going to her class reunions, riding horses, playing pickleball, sitting around a bonfire, hard ice cream, going to the State Fair to see the animals, and watching Ohio State football and basketball games (Go Bucks!), and loved being surrounded by her family.
Connie loved people, and being a greeter at her church came naturally for her. She had a gift for making people feel welcome, and was simply the best hugger. She spent lots of time volunteering throughout her life including a mission trip to help clean up after Hurricane Katrina, making blankets for the needy, helping out with the food pantry at Western Wake Crisis Ministry, serving with the women's prison ministry, driving an elderly couple to church, and assisting those in need with the Center for Volunteer Caregiving. Connie continued to try to help people even when her health began to decline. It was difficult for her to accept help, but she was always very thankful for all the things people did for her.
We will miss her on this side of eternity, but rejoice that she is fully healed and at peace. We take comfort in all the special memories we have with her and know we will one day meet again.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at The Peak Church, 1200 N. Salem St. Apex, NC 27502. A dessert reception will follow
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Western Wake Crisis Ministry