Margaret Ann Carroll Ball

Margaret Ann Carroll Ball, 62431 Leffel Road, La Grande, past away at home surrounded by all her family, Sunday evening July Second.

Margaret was born April 27th, 1926 to Mr. & Mrs. J.P. McCann of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She married Herb Carroll in March, 1946. They moved to Corvallis, Oregon while Herbert finished studies at Oregon State University.

The couple then moved to Valley Falls, Oregon and helped run the Carroll Family general store. During this time three children were born. In the fall of 1959 the family moved to La Grande. Herb and Margaret were active members of the First Baptist Church where Margaret served as Deaconess, choir member, Sunday school teacher and superintendent.

Margaret's hostess skills were always in demand for what seemed a never ending stream of visiting missionaries, guest speakers and friends.

She also helped to shape the lives of countless children as a coordinator and teacher of Good News Clubs and vacation Bible Schools. For many years she was also an active member of Women's Aglow International.

In addition to her church and civic responsibilities, Margaret was a full time homemaker and dedicated wife and mother. In later years Margaret worked with her husband in their real estate and insurance business'.

After her husband passed away in 1985 Margaret enjoyed travel with friends and by herself around the United States and to the Middle East. Margaret always had an adventurous spirit. She often shocked friends and family with stories of solo adventures in far away places when others did not dare to follow.

In the mid nineties while caring for an elderly aunt in Lakeview Oregon, Margaret met and eventually married Braden Ball. The couple lived in La Grande from 1995 until 1999 when Braden's medical needs required that they move to Lake Oswego, soon after which Braden passed away leaving Margaret widowed for a second time.

Margaret continued living on her own, where unbeknownst to her family she negotiated Portland traffic with one eye covered to compensate for loss of vision. She was determined not to allow declining health to limit her activities. In the fall of 2004 her children convinced her to join them in La Grande where she resided with her daughter, Gayle and son-in-law, Gordon Schaad.

In January of 2005, while vacationing near Phoenix, Arizona, Margaret suffered a stroke from which few thought she could recover. In another example of her indomitable spirit, Margaret walked out of the hospital and for the last eighteen months of her life continued to provide humor and inspiration to all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, daughter and son-in-law, Gayle & Gordon Schaad of La Grande, son and daughter-in-law, Robert & Karen Carroll of Knoxville Tennessee, son, Thomas Carroll of La Grande, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Friday July 7th at 10:30 at the First Baptist Church, Sixth Street at Spring Avenue in La Grande, with Pastor Kent Hug officiating. Graveside services will follow at Grandview Cemetery. Friends may call at Daniels Valley Funeral Chapel. 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, Oregon 97850 on Thursday from 4-6 pm.