Marvin Ball age 87 of Marshall, NC passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2015 as a result of injuries sustained in an accident at his home. Marvin was born on October 10, 1927 and was a lifelong resident of Madison County, NC. He was the son of the late Pearson and Nettie Freeman Ball. Marvin served in the United States Army from 1942 – 1946 and was a WWII veteran. He served as Post Master for the Marshall community and as a rural mail carrier in the Walnut/Big Pine communities. Marvin retired from the United Stated Postal Service after a long career. He was also a prominent cattle farmer and burley tobacco grower in Madison County. Marvin worked at tobacco grower’s warehouses in Greeneville and Morristown, TN. He was also a proud member of the Madison County Democratic Party and enjoyed “politicking” for Democratic Candidates locally, statewide and federally. He formerly served as chairman of the Madison County Democratic Party and Precinct Chair and worker for the North Marshall Precinct as well as Chairman of the Madison County Board of Elections. He formerly worked under Sheriff E. Y. Ponder as an auxiliary deputy and loved to tell stories about his times helping Sheriff Ponder. In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by sisters; Belva Ball and Emma Ball Pons and brothers; Allen, David and Richard Ball.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Irene Payne Ball; daughters, Linda Ball Bradley and husband Charles, Theresa Ball Barnwell and husband Steve and Jennifer Ball Bryson and husband Dicky. Grandchildren: Chad Bradley and wife Michelle, Mandy Bradley Fish and husband Allen, Vicky D’Alessandro and husband Marc, Brooke and Mitchell Ledford; great grandchildren, Katlyn and Kaleb D’Alessandro, Thatcher Bradley Rice, Jocelynn and Alexa Bradley.
The funeral service will be held 2:00PM Wednesday, April 15, at Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral. The Reverend Jack Riddle will officiate. Burial will follow in the Freeman Gap Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 – 8 pm Tuesday, at the funeral home.