Submitted by
Loyd Bishop

In Memoriam – Mrs. Isabell Ball

[Originally appeared in the Nuckols County Herald, Nebraska]
Mrs. Isabel Ball was born Oct. 29, 1819, in Monroe county, Ohio, and died at the home of her son in Blackwell, Okla, Tuesday, Dec, 17, at 12 o'clock p.m., aged 88 years 1 month and 18 days.
Impressive services were held at the home by Pastor Garret McQuiddy and the church choir. The text, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord for they shall rest from their labors and their works do follow them," was especially fitting for one who had served the Lord for 73 years. Her daugter, Mrs. May, accompanied the remains to the old home in Nebraska. The following is from the obituary appearing in the Nuckols County Herald:
Her parents, Alexander and Rebecca Ferrel were Virginians. When 18 years old she was married to Chas J. Atkinson in Jamestown, now called Cameron, Ohio. Three children were born to this union, Anna Elizabeth Huldah and Adesah Jane; little Huldah died at the age of four years. After nine years of married life the husband died leaving the young wife to care for and support the two little girls alone.
In November, 1818, she was married to Dr. D. R. Ball, who was just beginning the practice of medicine in Jamestown. They removed to Lee county, Iowa, in 1849. Three children were born to them, Celeste, Sarah, and John Henry, the second one dying when but two years old. They moved to Nebraska in 1872 and to Nelson in September, 1883.
Sister Ball united with the Methodist church when she was 15 years old. Five years later she united with the Christian church, of which she was a tireless and devoted worker for over 68 years.
Her love and interest in welfare of those about her never abated in the least.
A most tender and loving mother whose thoughts for her children were always for their higher life. She taught her children to love and serve the Christ as the very highest ideal of life, and she not only taught them by lips but by a life bid with Christ in God, and this is worth more to her loved ones than the wealth of the world. Years ago she saw the need of a Ladies' Ald here, and with the assistance of two or three other ladies was organized the first aid of this church, of which she was the first president.
She was also a missionary woman and was for years the president of the C. W. B. M., and was true to the Master's great world wide command. Once during her long illness she was up but only for a few days. When death first became imminent she talked of her demise and arranged for it just as though she was going on a journey, and as the end approached she often expressed a desire to go home and be at rest. She was conscious to the very last moment. Oh, neighbors, friends and loved ones, what a life and what a death! Years ago she heard God speak in regard to the building of her life's character, and could she speak to you she would say build it well what'ver you. Build it straight and strong and true. Build it clean and high and broad; build it for the eye of God.
This had been a victorious life and could she speak I believe she would say with the poet-

Sunset and evening star
And one clear call for me,
And may there be mourning at the
bar,
When I put out to sea

Twilight and evening bell
And after that the dark,
And may there be no sadness of farewell
When I embark.

For tho' from out our borne of time
and place,
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my pilot face to face,
When I have crossed the bar.

Nothing is here for tears,
No wailing of despair.

We weep not as those who have no hope for we shall meet our mother in that home over there with God and his Christ our Saviour.
Three children are left to miss her sainted presence which was ever a benediction upon them, Mrs. Annie E Norwood , of Nelson, Neb.; Mrs. Celeste May and John H. Ball, of Blackwell, Okla. together with grandchildren, other relatives and a host of friends in and out of the church, for to know her was to love her.
The funeral service was conducted from the Nelson Christian church at 2 p.m., Friday, Dec 20, 1907, by the pastor, F. E. Day. The pall bearers were those who had worshipped in the same church with her for many years.
Beautiful roses and carnations and a floral pillow, the tributes of friends and societies in Blackwell and Nelson, covered the casket, and upon an easel back of it were the words C. W. B. M. Veteran at Rest.
Interment was made in the Nelson cemetery beside her husband who had preceded her to the better land some fifteen years.
Thus has passed to her reward a life that for more than three quarters of a century manifested unusual devotion to God and unselfishness toward mankind, in a nature keenly alive to all the beauties and harmonies both in the natural and spiritual world.
Under the snow we laid way
Silent and cold, one short winter day
The mantle of ermine, a softened grace,
Lent to the otherwise desolate place.
Then we turned away sadly, with reverent tread,
To resume, once again, this life's tangled thread.
But it never will seem to us just the same,
As when dear mother smiled and
called our name.

O' mother's smile so sweet and brave,
An added zest to joy it gave,
And courage, true, to meet all pain,
And exigence of loss or gain.
O, blessed memory beguile
Our spirits hence by mother's smile.

BALL-Died, Tuesday evening, Dec 17, 1907, Mrs. Isabel, Ball age 88 years, at the home of her son, John H. Ball. She was also the mother of Mrs. John R. May. Short services conducted by Rev. McQuiddy were held at the residence, and the remains, accompanied by Mrs. May, were taken to Nelson, Neb, for interment beside those of her husband, Dr. Ohio, and formerly lived with her family in Iowa.