yesterday's tennessee

FLEETWOOD BALL

Robert L. Palmer

From Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists

BALL, FLEETWOOD JAMES (b. Cherry Creek, Pontotoc County, Miss., Mar. 16, 1876; d. Lexington, Tenn., May 1, 1941). Pastor, evangelist, recording secretary of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, and denominational leader. Son of Martin and Lizzie (McKay) Ball, he was fifth and last in a line of Baptist ministers. He graduated with the B.S. degree from Union University, 1896, and took the English course at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Later Union awarded him the D.D. degree. He married Flossie Lee Melton, May 14, 1907, who died Dec. 8, 1918. Four daughters, Mary Elizabeth, Flossie Melton, Lily McKay, and Martha Joe, all graduated from Union University. Ball served the following churches as pastor: Friendship (Henry County) 1894-1905, Henry, Denmark, Malesus, Cottage Grove (12 years), Erin, Union Academy, Mount Nebo, Wildersville, Huntingdon, Parsons, Perryville, and Decaturville. He was pastor, First Baptist Church, Lexington, Tenn., 34 years (Dec., 1902-Dec., 1936). During this time he served the following rural churches which met in the afternoon: Rock Hill, Sand Ridge, Piney Creek, Chapel Hill, and Union. When roads were bad, he walked. He led Cottage Grove, Perryville, and Lexington in building houses of worship. Ball served as moderator of Western District Association for several years and of Beech River Association for 31 years; was recording secretary of the state convention 25 years; contributed the column entitled "Among the Brethren" in the Baptist and Reflector for 40 years; was actively connected with operating Baptist Memorial Hospital and Union University; was a member of the Tennessee Baptist mission board 10 years, a correspondent of the Commercial Appeal, an editorial assistant for the Lexington Republican. A score of young men in Henderson County at one time bore the unusual name Fleetwood.