Mary Elizabeth Shumate Ball
Mary Elizabeth Shumate Ball of Ruston, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at the age of 96. She was born September 12, 1926, in Meridian, Mississippi, to the late Lala Elaine McDonald Shumate and Tripp Eli Shumate.
Mary worked for over 20 years as Executive Secretary to the Vice-President of Mid-Continent Steel Company, a division of Kast Metals in Shreveport. She was a devoted wife to Andrew J. “A.J.” Ball for 61 years until his passing in 2006. Mary loved her family and her Lord. She became a Christian at 25 and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Shreveport, where she was a member for years.
Later in life, she becameaBaptistandjoined the Lakeshore Baptist Church of Shreveport and then Ford Park Baptist Church. In all her church affiliations through the years, she, along with her husband, were faithful members, who taught Sunday School and enjoyed ministry — especially to pre-schoolers.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Lala L. Ball; grandchildren, Lindsey Elizabeth Cooper Crawford and husband, Brent, Hannah Leigh Cooper Bowman and husband Chris, Wade Andrew Crawford, Eli David Crawford, Jackson Allen Lee, Austin Randle Lee, Faith Ann Crawford and Emmaline Harper Lee, all from Ruston.
She is also survived by her brother, Henry Ray Shumate of Las Vegas, Nevada; as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew J. Ball of Shreveport; and her brothers, Donald Lee Shumate of Kenner, and Leslie Gene Shumate of Meridian, Mississippi.
A private family graveside celebration was held at Centuries Memorial Park, where she was laid to rest on Sunday September 18, 2022 at 1 p.m. with her daughter, Rev. Lala L. Ball officiating the service.
Honoring her as pallbearers were Wade Crawford, Eli Crawford, Jackson Lee, Austin Lee, Brent Crawford and Chris Bowman. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Kim Roberson of Allegiance Hospice and the nurses and staff of Ruston Rehab and Nursing Center for their wonderful care they showed to Mary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Chatham Community Church, Freedom 13 Ministries, Biscuit Ministry and Gideons International in her memory.
