Virginia Ball

Anyone blessed to have been touched by the life of Virginia Ball, smiles at the mere mention of her name. As our Mother, she was Everything. As her daughters, we received her wise teachings and loving discipline, enjoyed happy childhoods, and experienced our own evolutions seasoned with her colorful humor, and tears of both sorrow and joy.
The challenges brought by growing up teen, were closely monitored by Mom, but allowed to take their colorful courses. She encouraged us to experience our own lives and discover womanhood as the strong individuals she inspired us to be.
Mom lived her teen and early adult years on the edge, determined to escape the tedium of her Iowa life and travel the country by train to join her brother Guy in the military town of San Diego.
What was it about mom that from her teens she had the desire for adventure and to seek more from life? If one checks her family tree the pioneer spirit is prevalent throughout her lineage: Earliest records trace back to Burgundy, France, circa 1185! Then through Switzerland, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, England and then to the East Coast of the United States in the 1700’s. Moving on into Ohio and settling in Iowa in the mid 1800’s. Many nieces and nephews still reside in Iowa to this day; and many more are sprinkled throughout the US.
Mom was born Mary Virginia Harvey, in Marshalltown, Iowa, March 25, 1925. Her father, Guy William Harvey, Sr., was a pastor at the Friends Church in Iowa for over 40 years. He and her mother, Mary Ogier Armstrong, had 9 children – 6 sons and 3 daughters. Most of the Harvey boys served in the military in WWII. All the sons and daughters married and raised families. Mom survived her brothers and sisters.
On January 1, 1945, in Yuma, Arizona, mom married William M. Ball of Lafayette, Indiana. Bill and Virginia Ball lived at 1026 Meade Avenue, and had 3 daughters, Michele, Debbe and Lori. In 1962 they built their family home at 1024 Meade Avenue, where mom passed quietly in her sleep at 3:30 am on September 12, 2018. Notably, her caregiver, Espy, whom we love and appreciate for being mom’s angel, was by her side.
Mom was the biggest fan and supporter of her daughters. Together with our Dad, they were involved in every activity that was important to us. They were known for their hospitality and welcomed our friends into their home with open arms. One of the highlights was when we opened our home during Michele’s senior year at San Diego High School for the American Field Service student exchange program. For one year, a beautiful young lady from Brazil, Lucia Cavalcanti (Williams), become our 4th sister. The best part is that she has continued to visit over the years and remains in our hearts as one of our sisters.
Mom and Dad found time for themselves too: they were the consummate “Charger Fans” with season tickets from day one! Mom particularly loved her girlfriends from “the Bank” and her sorority sisters at “Delta Chi Sigma.” “The girls” and their husbands often vacationed together, traveling to a variety of places. Mom and Dad also toured Europe with Debbe and husband, Duane, went on cruises with friends and family and embraced life to its fullest!
While their daughters grew and married, Mom and Dad remained the center of every family occasion and fun activity. They relished visits with Debbe and Duane at their home in Lake Tahoe. Helped Debbe and Duane and their team organize and put on the “Star Follies” as a fundraiser for the local school district. Mom and Dad attended all of Lori’s professional ballroom dance competitions where they watched her win numerous trophies with her partners. In recent years Mom and Dad loved to spend special times with each of their daughters and sons-in-law, Debbe & Duane Deverill, Lori & Luis Barrios and Michele & Michael Kole.
Mom raised daughters who, like our mother, have made our own wonderful way in life. While Debbe and Lori’s centered on a variety of satisfying career and life choices, Michele’s life also included raising 3 children. Michele and her husband, Michael, have 3 children. Jason, Jessica and Jeremy. And Mom and Dad were the doting grandparents – being central figures in each of their lives. With Mom and Dad, it has always been about “the love of family!”
Fast forward to the last 9 years following Dad’s passing in 2009 at the age of 92. All of the grandkids are now happily married and low and behold….mom becomes the proud great-grandmother to 6 great-grandkids! 5 boys and 1 girl – Kaston, Justice, Kenzley, Micaiah, James, and Zadok. Mom had been looking forward to #7, and had expressed the hope to see her born. However, the Good Lord called Mom home a bit early. Five days after Mom passed, #7, Kaia was born on September 17th. The circle of life is again complete!
Every day these past few months when we’d stop in to see mom she would say, I thank God every day for the life He has given me! She knew she was blessed and we know that we are blessed to have had her as our mom or nana or close personal friend.