September 23, 1926 – February 17, 2022
Nella Jean Ball née Reid was born near Alfalfa in Caddo County, Oklahoma on September 23, 1926 to Charles and Ruth Reid. She grew up on the family farm, climbing catalpa trees and playing in nearby creeks. She graduated from Alfalfa High School in 1944, where she played basketball and saxophone. She attended St. Anthony School of Nursing in Oklahoma City, intending to become a cadet nurse in the U.S. Army had the war not ended before her graduation. After graduation from St. Anthony in 1947, she was certified as a registered nurse. She was working as an OB/GYN nurse in Oklahoma City when she met Glenn C. Ball of Hollis, Oklahoma. The couple were married on August 15, 1948 at Alfalfa Baptist Church. The family lived in Oklahoma City until 1972, when they moved to Edmond. Glenn and Jean were blessed with three boys, Derek, Keven and Larry. After Glenn died suddenly in 1986, Jean lived in Edmond and went back to work as an administrative assistant for the ministerial staff at the regional office of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma City. She retired from that position in the late 1990’s.
At the time of her death on February 17, 2022, she was living at the Veraden in Edmond, still active and independent.
Throughout her life, Jean was active in her church, first at Village Christian and then At Southern Hills Christian in Edmond. She taught Sunday School, served on various committees and was the first female moderator of the Board at Southern Hills. She also volunteered with mobile meals, whiz kids, tutoring programs in Edmond Public Schools and at the Oklahoma City Civic Center as an usher. She loved being “Gran” to her five grandchildren and attending the Reid Family reunions each year. She was an avid bridge player and loved reading and crossword puzzles.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband Glenn, sons Keven and Derek, and brothers Larry Reid of Alfalfa and Keith Reid of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Ann Reid of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, son Larry and wife Diane of Edmond, and grandchildren Addison of Oklahoma City, Travis and wife Camille of Maynard, Massachusetts, Hayden of San Diego, California, Hallie Robertson and husband Nate of the Village, and Whitney of Cambridge, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southern Hills Christian Church in Edmond, Oklahoma.
A Graveside service will be held Saturday, March 26 2022, at 2:00PM at Memorial Park Cemetery, 13313 N Kelley Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73131.