SERVICES:  Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Unity Baptist Church

11:00 a.m.

INTERMENT:  Unity Baptist Church Cemetery

VISITATION:  Monday, November 17, 2025

Unity Baptist Church

4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Services for Carolyn June Cooley Ball, 90, of Petal, Mississippi, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at Unity Baptist Church in Leakesville.  Carolyn passed away peacefully at her home on November 11, 2025.  Bro. Brad Brownlee will officiate the service and burial will follow in Unity Baptist Church Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers will be Jerry Joyce, Mark Hicks, Leonard Herndon, Ronnie Sumrall, Jeffery Ball, Bobby Cooley, and Butch Ezell as alternate.

Carolyn was born on September 25, 1935, in Leakesville, Mississippi, to Willis Austin "Pep" Cooley and Sweetie Marie Green Cooley. She graduated from Washington High School in Neely in 1952.  On May 10, 1953, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Ball. Together, they devoted their lives to serving many communities throughout South Mississippi during Kenneth's years of pastoring churches in Greene, Perry, and Forrest Counties before later moving to California.

While in Sacramento, Carolyn worked in the stockroom department at JCPenney, where she faithfully served for 25 years before retiring. Upon retirement, she and Kenneth returned to Mississippi, where they continued to minister and support local church communities.  Carolyn enjoyed crocheting, cross-stitching, and working on word search puzzles. She was well known for her delicious cakes, which she lovingly baked for her friends, neighbors, and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willis Austin and Sweetie Marie Cooley; brothers, Bill Cooley, Athon Cooley, and Willis Cooley; sister, Jean Herndon; sister-in-law, Elaine Cooley; and brother-in-law, Buddy Herndon.

Carolyn is survived by her devoted husband of 72 years, Kenneth Ball of Petal, Mississippi; her son, Mike Ball of Petal, Mississippi; daughter, Patricia Ball of Rancho Cordova, California; grandson, Jermaine of Rancho Cordova, California; granddaughter, Lakia of Rancho Cordova, California; and her sister, Sue Lene (Raymond "Butch") Ezell of Petal, Mississippi. She also leaves behind a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and great-nieces and nephews who will cherish her memory.

Carolyn's life was a reflection of her faith, love, and generosity. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 17, 2025 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. also at the church.