FAMILY REQUEST EVERYONE ATTENDING TO PLEASE WEAR A MASK

Marie Imogene Ball (Gulley), 97 of Washington passed away Friday, March 5, 2021 at her home.

Mrs. Ball daughter of Harry Gulley and wife Maymie (Marrs) was born November 14, 1923 in Christopher, Illinois. She was the second eldest of fourteen children.

She moved to St. Louis at school age and eventually attended Hadley Technical School (high school) learning dress making.  Moved to Otter Creek, Missouri near Piedmont during The Depression.  While there she worked for a family taking care of their home.  Following this, she moved back to St. Louis working in garment factories.  She was married on March 13, 1942 to William J. Ball until his death in 1992.

She worked in the garment industry in wedding dress design and as a seamstress at various factories in St. Louis.

After retirement, she did wedding dress alterations at Margo's in Union, modeling at John Casablanca Modeling Agency, and sold jewelry at Union Walmart, and applied her skills in writing by publishing Hope, That's All There is , A story of human struggles in Armenia.

Marie was a long-standing member of Overland Baptist Church in Overland, Missouri, then First Baptist Church in Union, and finally, The Ridge Church, Villa Ridge.

Marie's mainstay in life was her love of family and friends. Family reunions and sharing with her large family and friends were her favorite ways to entertain.  She loved to do crafts and sew, making dresses for her girls and for her grandchildren.

As a child of the Great Depression, she valued education and work. A World War Two bride, she delivered and began raising their first child while her husband, Bill, a U.S. Army Sergeant, fought for world freedom in Europe earning five Bronze Stars.

Mrs. Ball was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Maymie Gulley and her step-mother, Irma Gulley; her husband, William J. Ball; five brothers, Bill Gulley, Oliver Gulley, Ben Gulley, Harry Gulley Jr. and Eugene Gulley; three sisters, Betty Wyman, Verna Towell and Emma Barton; two great-grandchildren, Kylee Guittar and Raylan Schengbier and her son-in-law, Wally Carpenter.

She is survived by three daughters, Barbara Carpenter, Marty Tayon and husband Jim and Jackie Naumann and husband Wayne all of Washington; one brother, Ken Gulley and significant other Nancy Callahan of Rolla; four sisters, Kathy Cook and husband Larry of Warrenton, Grace Avery of Crystal City, Cleta Null of Pacific and Myrtle Alexander of Buckner, all in Missouri; four grandchildren, Shannon Finley Regan (Eric), Chris Finley, Jennifer Naumann Aholt (Joe) and Amy Naumann Schengbier (Justin); six great-grandchildren, Samantha, Tyler, Jordan, Greyson, Colton and Brayden; two great-great-grandchildren, Ellen and Lane; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Memorial donations to PEO Chapter FO are preferred.