Wilbert Lee Ball

Wilbert Lee Ball left to be with the Lord on December 25, 2017 at 1:15 am at John J Pershing VA Medical Center. Wilbert was born January 20, 1929 in Parma, MO, to Ida Mae Henderson and Louis Ball. He was raised by his grandparents Oliva and Henry Blackman.

He confessed his faith in Christ at an early age under the pastorship of Rev. C.E. Keeble at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. He was ordained a deacon and served as a Trustee at St. John’s Baptist Church under the pastorship of Rev Bruce Britton.
He proudly served our county in the US Army and was honorably discharged. He was a man of many talents and retired as a public servant from the City of St. Louis. While in St. Louis, he was a member of Church of Christ The Devine under the pastorship of Bishop Danny Coleman.

In addition to his love for the Lord, he loved gardening, cooking, tinkering, fishing and hunting, sports, traveling, reading, and socializing with family and friends.

Wilbert united with Rosie Lee Britton on April 22, 2006, they enjoyed a loving marriage until his death. He is survived by his loving wife, Rosie Lee Ball; three sons Barry Ball; Matthew Britton of Columbia, MO and Bruce Britton of Poplar Bluff, MO. Three daughters Alzina Britton of Poplar Bluff, MO; and Allean Britton and Callean Britton both of Puyallup WA. Two sisters Essie (Samuel) Matthews of Poplar Bluff, MO; Bobbie Washington of Chicago, IL; one brother Larkin Henderson of Emeryville, CA; and a host of nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by parents Ida Mae Henderson and Louis Ball; grandparents Oliva and Henry Blackman, brothers Willie Ball, Samuel Henderson, and John Henderson and sisters Arillia Braswell, Urlee Swope and Elner Trope.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 am Saturday Dec. 30th at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff with the funeral service immediately following at 1:00 pm. The Rev. Andrew Jefferson will officiate and the eulogy will be delivered by Rev. Bruce Britton. Interment with full military honors will be 11 am Tuesday, Jan. 2nd at the Missouri State Veteran Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO.