yesterday's tennessee

OBITUARY OF MRS. FLEETWOOD BALL

December 13, 1918
Lexington Progress

Lexington Loses One of Its Best beloved Women

Flossie Lee, daughter of the late Robert L. and Mrs. Vesta Azbill Melton, was born in Lexington, Sept. 1,1892, and as the beloved wife of Rev. Fleetwood Ball, was called to her heavenly reward at 11:45 o'clock Sunday night, December 8th, 1918, leaving an infant daughter, born on the 3rd inst. Her death was attributed to influenza and development of pneumonia, against which the physicians and nurses battled in vain.

May 14,1909, Miss Flossie Melton was most happily married to Rev. Fleetwood Ball an to that ideal union four children were born, ____ [cut off], of whom survive, including the infant who came such a short time before the loss of the mother.

The funeral occurred last Monday at two o'clock p.m., the remains being carried to the Baptist church, of which the deceased had been a devoted member and constant attendant. By request Rev. Martin Ball, the aged father of the bereaved husband, officiated in the service, which was so touching that there was hardly a dry eye in the large congregation. Mr. Ball read from the Bible that chapter in which comes the sacred and cheering promise, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Mr. Ball's text in speaking over the remains of the daughter-in-law whom he said he had loved as his own child, was taken from the 14th chapter and 8th verse of St. Mark: "She has done what she could."

Very touchingly he told of the life and character of the beloved "Flossie," and how the text fittingly applied to her in all the relations of life. In the church, the Sunday school and the choir, all of which she loved and proved her love by her constant attendance and service. "She had done what she could." As a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and neighbor" and the knowledge that her life was so conducted should bring some fulfillment of God's promise to wipe away all tears from the eyes of those who loved her and and who have the blessed privilege of meeting her after "Life's fitful fever is o'er." When Mr. Ball said, "Let her life speak," he appealed to the indisputable proof that she had earned, by the Grace of God, that reward on high compared with which all and the best this world can give does not, can not compare.

In speaking of the deceased and beloved young woman who has been taken from us before she had even reached middle life, we feel competent to pass judgment on her character and it pleases us to say that she was an ideal woman — the kind of woman whose loss to the world can not be estimated by human computation. She was truly serving a noble purpose here, "Doing what she could" — making the world brighter and sweeter to live by her presence and making life "One grand, sweet song" to those who had the privilege of living in daily contact with her.

To the bereaved husband from whom has been taken the principal human magnet of his life, and little children, who, fortunately, can not realize their loss, and the devoted mother and two sisters, we would speak words of comfort if we could, but God alone in his own good time can bring balm to their bleeding hearts.

The flowers given by relatives and friends were exceptionally beautiful and numerous, expressing to some extent the deep affection in which Mrs. Ball was held. Just following the service in the church, the mortal remains were carried to Lexington Cemetery and there tenderly consigned to the bosom of Mother Earth--for "Dust thou art and unto dust thou shall return."

The pall-bearers were Messrs. T.A. Enochs, Granville Bartholomew, J.A. Carrington, Jno. S. Fielder, E. F. Denison, J.W. Stewart, T. Edwards, and Fred Wadley.