Ruth Lucinda Fairless Ball entered into Glory on March 5, 2018. She has now seen Jesus and is singing hallelujah in her red high heels.

Ruth was born on April 4, 1922 in Ranger to B.H. Fairless and Rose Emberlin Fairless. She worked for the railroad during World War II, helping with mail delivery in Louisiana. She eloped with Glen Ball in 1947 and they made their home in Breckenridge.

The cattle business kept them busy with trips to the Fort Worth Stockyards and Mexico buying and selling cattle. She was also active in the Breckenridge service sorority. In 1949, she became a mother with the birth of their son, Chris. She always said she got it right the first time and did not have to have any more children. These years were filled with family, camping trips to Idaho, and helping with the school PTA. After a house fire in 1969, she and Glen decided to build a home on their ranch north of Strawn. What an adventure this was as they set up a large tent complete with electricity in which they lived and nicknamed it Camp David. They then built a small bunk house nicknamed Valley Forge and lived there for the duration of the building project. They finally moved into their Mediterranean home and continued to finish details right as their son married Cathi and they joyfully became grandparents.

Ruth and Glen traveled the world, going to Australia, Italy, England, Mexico, France, Russia and China. Sadly their adventures were cut short with Glen’s sudden passing in 1987. She said when she finally got to Heaven, she was going to kick him for doing that to her. Her heart ached, but she continued to invest in her family in every way she could. Attending school events, football games and Ashley’s pageants, she was always there. She continued to travel by herself and sometimes with her sister or Cathi’s parents, Wayne and Rosanne Rogers.

First Baptist Church of Strawn was her church home for years and she loved helping with the youth and various other ministries. She later moved into a retirement village in Fort Worth, then to a home in Colleyville, and finally to the Woodlands in Eastland. She loved Bible study at the Woodlands and made sure there were doughnuts for everyone. She lived life all in. She was excited at the birth of each great-grandchild, continuously offering any help she could offer and loving every second she had with each one.

She was an avid reader, accomplished chef, excellent shot, and always a storyteller. She loved ice cream, coffee, family photos, chandeliers, animal print, wrapping Christmas presents, and getting her nails done but hated armadillos. She always looked out for others, finding ways to take care of anyone around her. She belonged to the greatest generation and rightly so. She could do anything such as make a Santa suit the night before Christmas when Glen decided he wanted to surprise the grandkids, haul cattle through the middle of the night, or cook the best Thanksgiving meal ever.

She has left a legacy for her family of forging your own path, loving others, and loving Jesus. We only hope we can make her proud. Her last few days were spent at Eastland Memorial Hospital.  Her doctor Valarie DeLuca was so kind and considerate. The nurses and staff were precious to her and our deepest thanks to her caregivers Pat Parker, Karen Moseley and Becky Casey. They loved her like daughters. “I wish I could have known her when she was younger,” Parker said. They would have been great friends.

Ball is survived by her son Chris Ball and wife, Cathi, of Pawhuska, Okla.; grandchildren, Ashley Yeates, of Pebble Beach, Calif., Taylor Yeates and wife, Kelly, of Owasso, Okla., and Krystle Joyner and husband, Justin, of Roanoke; great-grandchildren, Astin Lathrop, Hamilton Lathrop, Hollis Yeates, Burkley Yeates, Natalie Joyner, Jake Joyner, and Everett Joyner; niece, Peggy Engwicht and husband, Kip; and several great-nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Glen Ball, sister, Theola Gafford, brother, B.H. Fairless Jr., niece, Cinda Kendrick, as well as a host of beloved friends. 

Visitation was held at Edward’s Funeral Home in Eastland on Thursday, March 8, from 6-8 p.m. Services were held at First Baptist Church of Strawn on Friday, March 9, 2018 at 10 a.m.  Graveside service followed at Mount Marion Cemetery in Strawn. 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing,” 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

Online condolences may be left at edwards-funeral-homes.com.