Mary Lou Ball, 61, of Columbia, died Tuesday, January 17, 2017 in Simpsonville, SC. Born in Germany on April 23, 1955, she was a daughter of the late Charles E. Ball, Sr. and Ruth Elisabeth Weitzel Ball. Lou grew up attending the Happy Time Center and the Babcock Center. She was a Special Olympics equestrian gold medalist and named the first SCARC Poster Child in 1962. In 2013, she retired from the wood workshop to the peace and quiet of her home. She enjoyed puzzles, I Love Lucy, and Elvis. For all those that knew Mary Lou she will be dearly missed.

Mary Lou is survived by brothers, Charles E. Ball, Jr. (Elizabeth), and Daniel G. Ball (Nelda); sisters, Patricia A. Peter (Jim Pope), and Carolyn E. Cribb (William); as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

The funeral service for Ms. Ball will be held at 1pm , Friday, January 20, 2017, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Rd. Ext., Columbia, with The Rev. Frank Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service, beginning at 12pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Babcock Center, P.O. Box 4389, West Columbia, SC 29171.