Rev. Raymond Ball

July 21, 1937 - July 17, 2019

Rev. Raymond Arnold Ball went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at MS Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. Visitation will be 6-8pm Friday, July 19, 2019 at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram. Funeral services will be 11am Saturday, July 20, at Highland Colony Baptist Church, with visitation from 10-11am. Interment will follow at 4pm at McLeod/Magnolia Cemetery in Leaksville, MS. Rev. Ball was born July 21, 1937 in Laurel, MS to the late Arnold Bartholowmew Ball and Aileen Walley Ball. He accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord at age 9, and graduated High School from Waynesboro High. He furthered his education with a Bachelor of music, Voice and Sacred Music from Mississippi College in 1959 and a Master of Church Music, Voice from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX in 1962. Rev. Ball answered the call to full time Christian service at First Baptist Church, Waynesboro, MS in 1953, and was Ordained to the Gospel Ministry at Fairview Baptist Church in Selma, Al, May 8, 1994. His ministry objective states, “I am available to serve as Minister of Music, Minister of Music and Senior Adults, Minister of Senior Adults, and/or minister of Music and Education.” His church related experience includes: Associate Pastor-Music and Ministry at Highland Colony Baptist Church, Ridgeland, MS June 1995 until his retirement in 2003. He served as Interim Minister of Music at Bentonia Baptist Church, Oak Forest Baptist Church, Westview Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church. Minister of Music and Youth at Fairview Baptist Church, Selma, AL April 1993-May 1995. Associational Music Director, Directed Children, Youth, and Adult Choirs, organizedSenior Adult Ministry, sang with Alabama Singing Men and Selma Community Chorus. Minister of Music, at Harrisville, MS Bivocational and part time June 1989-March 1993, where he developed a program in music and reestablised a Ladies Ensemble. He developed an active adult choir and groups ministering in church and community. Minister of music and Youth; Minister of Senior Aduls and Outreach at Woodville Heights Baptist Church, Jackson, MS from April 1975-February 1989. Over a period of 14 years, he developed a fully graded choir program. Music Ministry grew from a few choirs to over nine choral groups, and Instrumental Ensemble, and a Handbell program. Adult Choir grew from around 25 to around 60. He enrolled, developed, and established a Youth Choir and ensemble that ministered and made several mission tours and served as Music Director for Hinds-Madison Association. Led conferences on voice and music at Gulf Shore Baptist Assemble. Soloist at Mississippi Baptist convention. Sand in Mississippi Singing Churchmen as well as the CenturyMen of the SBC Radio Television Commission. Served as an officer and a charter member for the Mississippi Church Music Conference. Taught private voice. Over seven years developed a solid Senior Adult Ministry, totally organized with officers. this group led in several mission projects, toured extensively and presented musical programs. He also developed a churchwide visitation program. Minister of Music at Berney Points Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL from March 1970-April 1975. He developed a fully graded choir program. Developed exciting youth choir and ensembles which did mission tours and traveled extensively. the ensembles sang at conventions and civic programs. The Adult choir presented major cantatas and musicals. He taught music and directed the Berney Points Private School choir. Was accepted into the CenturyMen of the SBC Radio TV Commission in fall of 1971. Taught voice and music at Shocco springs State Assembly. soloist and Charter member of Alabama Singing Men and taught private voice. Minister of Music and Youth, at First Baptist Church Jackson, AL from may 1966-March 1970. He reestablished a fully graded choir program. Organized a youth ensemble that presented programs at civic groups, schools and churches all over Clarke County. Served as Clarke County Association Music Director. Taught at Shocco Springs Baptist Assembly. Developed Adult and Youth choirs to present major cantatas and musicals and taught private voice. Minister of music and Youth at Woodstock Park Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL from August 1962-February 1963. Minister of Music and Youth, part time at First Baptist church, Henrietta, TX from January 1960-August 1962. (During Seminary) Minister of Music and Youth, part time, Forest Hill Baptist Church, Jackson, MS from January 1958-May 1959. (During college) Major Secular Experience: Paper Carrier, Jackson Daily News, Waynesboro, MS Junior High years. Clerk, Watkins Department Store, Waynesboro, MS September 1953-April 1966. Chaplain’s Assistant, U.S. Army. April 1963-April 1966 Received several medals. Received the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Duty as Chaplain’s Assistant and for work with the Vietnamese people in teaching voice and English conversation in 1965/ Clerk, Baptist Book Store. February 1989-November 1962. Served as Shipping clerk and Sales clerk, Music Section. Rev. Ball’s hobbies and interest included sports, travel, collecting things, fishing, walking and gardening. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, also known as SAR. He is preceded in death by his son, James Arnold Ball. Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Marcia Ball of Ridgeland; son, Rev. Ron Ball (Lauren) of Husser, LA; grandchildren, Jordan, Julia and Ryne. Memorials may be made to CenturyMen or MS Singing Churchmen c/o Church Music Dept. PO Box 530, Jackson, Ms 39205