Dr. Robert James Ball passed away peacefully on July 19 th 2017 in Decatur, Alabama with his family by his side. Robert was born in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas on July 2nd, 1949.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents: George and Ruth Ball; and his two sisters: Virginia McCartney and Betty DiEsposti. Robert is survived by his two brothers: George Gray Ball and Buddy Ball. He graduated from Mammoth Spring High School in 1967. Robert married Kathy Sharlene Haney on June 1st, 1967. Robert worked for 11 years at Frisco Railroad in Thayer, Missouri. At age 30, Robert decided to dedicate his life to the Lord’s work and started attending school to become a preacher. Robert received a Bachelor of Arts in 1984 from Heritage Christian University, a Master of Arts in Ministry in 1985 and a Master of Divinity in Ministry in 1989 from Amridge University and a Doctor of Ministry in 1993 from Drew University. Robert had completed his work for a Ph.D in Old Testament from Amridge University and his dissertation was under review at the time of his passing. Robert worked as a Minister for over 30 years. During this time, Robert worked as a Minister and Elder at Priceville Church of Christ in Alabama, a Minister at North Main Church of Christ in Mocksville, North Carolina and a Minister at Old Hickory Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee. The majority of his preaching career was at Hialeah Church of Christ in Florida, where he worked as a Minister and Elder for over 25 years. Robert was a professor at Amridge University for 15 years. Robert had a love of learning and a passion for teaching others the word of God.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kathy Sharlene Ball; his two daughters: Kathy Arboleya and Carolyn “Jeannie” Little; his two sons-in- law: Joe Arboleya and Timothy Little; his five grandchildren: Zackary, Jacob, Caleb, Stephen and Katie; and his three great-grandchildren: Noah, Luna and Isla.
Funeral Services will be 2pm Monday, July 24, 2017, at the Thayer Church of Christ with Mike Hixson officiating, with burial following in the Riverside Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, AR. Visitation will be 9:30am-11:30am at the Church prior to the service. Arrangements are under the direction of the Clary Funeral Home of Thayer, MO.
