Maxine Franklin Ball Ellison of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas was a peculiar person, born sixth of nine children to the late Johnnie and Dorothy Mae Franklin in Helena, Arkansas on July 5, 1953. A sensitive child who saw the world with different eyes than most people, she had the gift of gab and could hold a conversation with anyone.
She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age, was baptized and served as a member of Morning Star Baptist Church in Helena, Arkansas where she sang in the choir and as a teenager sung in a gospel group of young women. She later joined First Baptist Church in Helena-West Helena Arkansas, under the leadership of Rev. Nathaniel Hull, Sr.; where she worshipped until her health failed. She married Leon Brian Ball on February 14, 1981 and to that union two children were born. Leon Ball and her 2nd husband, Major Ellison, both preceded her in death as well as one sister, June Warren. Maxine transitioned from this life Thursday, January 3, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
She graduated from Central High School of West Helena, Arkansas in 1971. As a perpetual student, she attended Phillips Community College of University Arkansas, University Arkansas at Little Rock and was a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Her scholarly interest included political science, sociology, and criminology. She developed great debating skills. While studying at Fayetteville, she became a charter member of the Kappa Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Being a peculiar person, Max was an avid reader; her favorite genre was romance novels followed by mysteries. If there were not too many interruptions in her day, she could read one book a day. She was all about service - one person at a time. She did not have to have the trappings of an agency or an organization. She took on the responsibility of unofficial foster mom to many children at one time. She did it out of love and sense of duty. She just expected the rest of the family to go along with it. Her favorite saying was “It takes a village to raise a child.” She had a hard time of saying no to those that asked her for help. Her door received frequent visits from those looking for assistance.
A very peculiar eater, somewhat of a pseudo-vegetarian, she would occasionally eat bacon, ground beef, tuna and specific brands of all beef hotdogs. However, she could cook a flavorful roast or steak with ease. Her favorite breakfast item was ice cream, preferably butter pecan. She had several careers from retail clerk in Chicago where she met her first husband Leon. Later, she was a retail manager in Atlanta. Then she worked as a social worker for Department of Human Resources in Fayetteville, Arkansas until she took on the responsibility of taking care of her mother.
Her family members that will continue to carry on her strength, wisdom, patience, and belief in God are her daughter, Kristen Ball-Cox of Memphis, TN and her son Airman James “J.J.” Ball of Bunnlevel, NC and one beautiful, intelligent and talented granddaughter, Laiah “Valincia” Cox; her brothers James (Bertha) Franklin, Nathaniel Franklin, Leon Franklin, and Benjamin Franklin of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas ; her sisters Lillie (James) Dabney of Lithonia Georgia, Jimella (William) Haskins of Smithfield, Virginia; Doris Jean(Chester) Lawson of Madison, Wisconsin; her special aunt/sister, Alice Valley of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. She will always be remembered as a warm caregiver, an enduring wife, an excellent mother, a sympathetic sister, a loving grandmother and a true friend to anyone who got the chance to experience her. Maxine was a strong-willed fighter till the end; she will undoubtedly be missed.
She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age, was baptized and served as a member of Morning Star Baptist Church in Helena, Arkansas where she sang in the choir and as a teenager sung in a gospel group of young women. She later joined First Baptist Church in Helena-West Helena Arkansas, under the leadership of Rev. Nathaniel Hull, Sr.; where she worshipped until her health failed. She married Leon Brian Ball on February 14, 1981 and to that union two children were born. Leon Ball and her 2nd husband, Major Ellison, both preceded her in death as well as one sister, June Warren. Maxine transitioned from this life Thursday, January 3, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
She graduated from Central High School of West Helena, Arkansas in 1971. As a perpetual student, she attended Phillips Community College of University Arkansas, University Arkansas at Little Rock and was a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Her scholarly interest included political science, sociology, and criminology. She developed great debating skills. While studying at Fayetteville, she became a charter member of the Kappa Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Being a peculiar person, Max was an avid reader; her favorite genre was romance novels followed by mysteries. If there were not too many interruptions in her day, she could read one book a day. She was all about service - one person at a time. She did not have to have the trappings of an agency or an organization. She took on the responsibility of unofficial foster mom to many children at one time. She did it out of love and sense of duty. She just expected the rest of the family to go along with it. Her favorite saying was “It takes a village to raise a child.” She had a hard time of saying no to those that asked her for help. Her door received frequent visits from those looking for assistance.
A very peculiar eater, somewhat of a pseudo-vegetarian, she would occasionally eat bacon, ground beef, tuna and specific brands of all beef hotdogs. However, she could cook a flavorful roast or steak with ease. Her favorite breakfast item was ice cream, preferably butter pecan. She had several careers from retail clerk in Chicago where she met her first husband Leon. Later, she was a retail manager in Atlanta. Then she worked as a social worker for Department of Human Resources in Fayetteville, Arkansas until she took on the responsibility of taking care of her mother.
Her family members that will continue to carry on her strength, wisdom, patience, and belief in God are her daughter, Kristen Ball-Cox of Memphis, TN and her son Airman James “J.J.” Ball of Bunnlevel, NC and one beautiful, intelligent and talented granddaughter, Laiah “Valincia” Cox; her brothers James (Bertha) Franklin, Nathaniel Franklin, Leon Franklin, and Benjamin Franklin of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas ; her sisters Lillie (James) Dabney of Lithonia Georgia, Jimella (William) Haskins of Smithfield, Virginia; Doris Jean(Chester) Lawson of Madison, Wisconsin; her special aunt/sister, Alice Valley of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. She will always be remembered as a warm caregiver, an enduring wife, an excellent mother, a sympathetic sister, a loving grandmother and a true friend to anyone who got the chance to experience her. Maxine was a strong-willed fighter till the end; she will undoubtedly be missed.
Maxine Franklin Ball Ellison of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas was a peculiar person, born sixth of nine children to the late Johnnie and Dorothy Mae Franklin in Helena, Arkansas on July 5, 1953. A sensitive child who saw the world with different eyes than most people, she had the gift of gab and could hold a conversation with anyone.
She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age, was baptized and served as a member of Morning Star Baptist Church in Helena, Arkansas where she sang in the choir and as a teenager sung in a gospel group of young women. She later joined First Baptist Church in Helena-West Helena Arkansas, under the leadership of Rev. Nathaniel Hull, Sr.; where she worshipped until her health failed. She married Leon Brian Ball on February 14, 1981 and to that union two children were born. Leon Ball and her 2nd husband, Major Ellison, both preceded her in death as well as one sister, June Warren. Maxine transitioned from this life Thursday, January 3, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
She graduated from Central High School of West Helena, Arkansas in 1971. As a perpetual student, she attended Phillips Community College of University Arkansas, University Arkansas at Little Rock and was a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Her scholarly interest included political science, sociology, and criminology. She developed great debating skills. While studying at Fayetteville, she became a charter member of the Kappa Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Being a peculiar person, Max was an avid reader; her favorite genre was romance novels followed by mysteries. If there were not too many interruptions in her day, she could read one book a day. She was all about service - one person at a time. She did not have to have the trappings of an agency or an organization. She took on the responsibility of unofficial foster mom to many children at one time. She did it out of love and sense of duty. She just expected the rest of the family to go along with it. Her favorite saying was “It takes a village to raise a child.” She had a hard time of saying no to those that asked her for help. Her door received frequent visits from those looking for assistance.
A very peculiar eater, somewhat of a pseudo-vegetarian, she would occasionally eat bacon, ground beef, tuna and specific brands of all beef hotdogs. However, she could cook a flavorful roast or steak with ease. Her favorite breakfast item was ice cream, preferably butter pecan. She had several careers from retail clerk in Chicago where she met her first husband Leon. Later, she was a retail manager in Atlanta. Then she worked as a social worker for Department of Human Resources in Fayetteville, Arkansas until she took on the responsibility of taking care of her mother.
Her family members that will continue to carry on her strength, wisdom, patience, and belief in God are her daughter, Kristen Ball-Cox of Memphis, TN and her son Airman James “J.J.” Ball of Bunnlevel, NC and one beautiful, intelligent and talented granddaughter, Laiah “Valincia” Cox; her brothers James (Bertha) Franklin, Nathaniel Franklin, Leon Franklin, and Benjamin Franklin of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas ; her sisters Lillie (James) Dabney of Lithonia Georgia, Jimella (William) Haskins of Smithfield, Virginia; Doris Jean(Chester) Lawson of Madison, Wisconsin; her special aunt/sister, Alice Valley of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. She will always be remembered as a warm caregiver, an enduring wife, an excellent mother, a sympathetic sister, a loving grandmother and a true friend to anyone who got the chance to experience her. Maxine was a strong-willed fighter till the end; she will undoubtedly be missed.
She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age, was baptized and served as a member of Morning Star Baptist Church in Helena, Arkansas where she sang in the choir and as a teenager sung in a gospel group of young women. She later joined First Baptist Church in Helena-West Helena Arkansas, under the leadership of Rev. Nathaniel Hull, Sr.; where she worshipped until her health failed. She married Leon Brian Ball on February 14, 1981 and to that union two children were born. Leon Ball and her 2nd husband, Major Ellison, both preceded her in death as well as one sister, June Warren. Maxine transitioned from this life Thursday, January 3, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
She graduated from Central High School of West Helena, Arkansas in 1971. As a perpetual student, she attended Phillips Community College of University Arkansas, University Arkansas at Little Rock and was a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Her scholarly interest included political science, sociology, and criminology. She developed great debating skills. While studying at Fayetteville, she became a charter member of the Kappa Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Being a peculiar person, Max was an avid reader; her favorite genre was romance novels followed by mysteries. If there were not too many interruptions in her day, she could read one book a day. She was all about service - one person at a time. She did not have to have the trappings of an agency or an organization. She took on the responsibility of unofficial foster mom to many children at one time. She did it out of love and sense of duty. She just expected the rest of the family to go along with it. Her favorite saying was “It takes a village to raise a child.” She had a hard time of saying no to those that asked her for help. Her door received frequent visits from those looking for assistance.
A very peculiar eater, somewhat of a pseudo-vegetarian, she would occasionally eat bacon, ground beef, tuna and specific brands of all beef hotdogs. However, she could cook a flavorful roast or steak with ease. Her favorite breakfast item was ice cream, preferably butter pecan. She had several careers from retail clerk in Chicago where she met her first husband Leon. Later, she was a retail manager in Atlanta. Then she worked as a social worker for Department of Human Resources in Fayetteville, Arkansas until she took on the responsibility of taking care of her mother.
Her family members that will continue to carry on her strength, wisdom, patience, and belief in God are her daughter, Kristen Ball-Cox of Memphis, TN and her son Airman James “J.J.” Ball of Bunnlevel, NC and one beautiful, intelligent and talented granddaughter, Laiah “Valincia” Cox; her brothers James (Bertha) Franklin, Nathaniel Franklin, Leon Franklin, and Benjamin Franklin of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas ; her sisters Lillie (James) Dabney of Lithonia Georgia, Jimella (William) Haskins of Smithfield, Virginia; Doris Jean(Chester) Lawson of Madison, Wisconsin; her special aunt/sister, Alice Valley of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. She will always be remembered as a warm caregiver, an enduring wife, an excellent mother, a sympathetic sister, a loving grandmother and a true friend to anyone who got the chance to experience her. Maxine was a strong-willed fighter till the end; she will undoubtedly be missed.
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