Charles Ball

Charles Shelton Ball, Jr., age 87, a resident of  Columbia, MS and Baton Rouge, LA, passed away peacefully at his home in Baton Rouge on January 11, 2023.  He was surrounded by family members and loving caregivers.

Shelton was born November 22, 1935 in the Hopewell community of Foxworth, MS to Charles Shelton Ball, Sr. and Ruth Smith.  He grew up on his grandfather’s farm land surrounded by extended family.  He attended school in Hopewell and graduated from Columbia High School in 1953, where he played baseball and became a life-long baseball fan.  He continued playing ball  at  Pearl River Junior College and subsequently attended Mississippi State University receiving a degree in Business Administration from Mississippi State University.

After graduating he served in the Army in Germany then returned to Columbia to begin a long and distinguished career as a respected businessman in the community.  He owned Beard Real Estate, enjoyed teaching Dale Carnegie courses, and was a President of the Rotary Club.    He was a member of First Methodist Church of Columbia where he taught Sunday School for many years.

He is survived by his devoted wife Wysie Stuckey; stepdaughters Jennifer Ellis (David) and Anne Williams (Trey), all of Baton Rouge; step-grandchildren Margaret Ellis of New Orleans, Samuel Ellis, Julia Williams and Elizabeth Williams, all of Baton Rouge, and Jennifer Herold Walker (Mark), of Arvada, Colo.;  siblings Joseph Ball (Sharon) of Bogalusa, La., Judy Ball Simmons of Shannon, Miss., Marilyn Ball Laird, Parker (Ellen) Ball, and stepbrother Mike (Mary) Stringer (Mary) all of Foxworth, Miss.; and dear friend Michelle Stanley and her son Zack of Columbia.   He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Frances Sistrunk White, and stepdaughter Bobbie Earl Herold.

A graveside service will be held at 1 PM January 16 at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Baton Rouge.  Shelton will be celebrated at a memorial service in Columbia at a later date.