Mrs. Ruth Elisabeth Irene Weitzel Ball, born March 3, 1930, in Ingelheim am Rhine, Germany, was a daughter of the late Otto and Elsa Stumpf Weitzel. She passed with her loving family at her side on February 13, 2016. Ruth was a passionate homemaker, and the wife of a career soldier, MSG (Ret) Charles Earl Ball, Sr. She cared for her five children with a dignity and willingness, ensuring their lives would be better than the years she experienced as a child. She continued to care for her exceptional child, Mary Lou, for 60 years. To accomplish this, she had to learn to speak English, drive a car, and become an incredible family resource manager. Her proudest and favorite times were those spent with her five children, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, especially at birthdays and holidays while cooking and baking for everyone. She also became accomplished in the collection and resale of antiques, and as time permitted, she would challenge herself by working the daily newspaper puzzle.

Ruth is survived by her son, Daniel G. Ball and his wife, Nelda Gray Ball; daughters, Mary "Lou" Ball, Patricia Ball Peter, and her husband Jim Pope, Carolyn E. Cribb and her husband, William H. Cribb, Jr.; son, Charles E. Ball, Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth Redd Ball; nine grandchildren, Lauren, Christina, Trey, Bryan, Chase, Meredith, Sarah, Katie, and Charles; six great-grandchildren, Maya, Sophie, Liam, Eli, Adalynn Grace and Adam; sister, Hilduh Keenan of Virginia; brother-in-law, McLellan Ball and wife Dorris of Waynesville, NC. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, MSG (Ret) Charles E. Ball, Sr.; sister, Martha Sanders of Swansea; and brother, Adolf Weitzel of Ridgeway.

A funeral service for Mrs. Ball will be held at 1 o'clock, Wednesday, February 17th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Rd. Exn., Columbia, with The Rev. Frank W. Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service, beginning at 12 o'clock. Memorials may be made to Friendship Place, Inc., PO Box 282, Georgetown, SC 29442.