Frances Lamson Ball, age 94, daughter of Melville and Marion Beckett Hallowell, born, November 4, 1921 in Peabody, Massachusetts, passed away Sunday, March 6, 2016 at her home in the care of her children in Jacksonville, Florida.

Frances grew up in Peabody, Massachusetts, went to Providence Bible Institute, in Providence, Rhode Island, and then worked for the Salvation Army in Boston. She also taught at the Salvation Army College in New York City, and was married there to John Ball, Jr. on April 14, 1952. Frances and John served in the Salvation Army in upstate New York, where both of the children were born. In 1958, the family moved to Jacksonville, Florida and then settled in Jacksonville Beach. Frances spent many years leading the elementary age Sunday School department at Central Church of the Nazarene, with large Easter and Christmas programs full of children singing and reciting scripture. Many hours were also spent driving son John and daughter Debbie to years of music lessons and band events. In her later years, Frances enjoyed visiting nursing homes and playing the piano for people everywhere. She spent many hours writing and sending cards to Sunday School absentees. She loved her grandchildren and tried to attend as many concerts, programs and graduations as possible. She was able to enjoy getting to know her great grandchildren too, treating them to ice cream and donuts, hamburgers and milkshakes. In the past year, Frances' piano playing was limited to playing the offertory at church and playing hymns, Christmas and Easter songs, and even the Wedding March at home, where her piano was in her room. Her longtime favorite pastimes being the piano and dining out, continued until a month before her passing.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents Melville and Marion Hallowell, husband John Ball, Jr., brother Calvin Hallowell, and niece Joanne Manoogian.

She is survived by sisters Burnette Daniels and Phyllis Manoogian, both of Peabody, Massachusetts, son John Ball and wife Catherine of Mandeville, Louisiana, and daughter Deborah Wooten and husband Ben of Jacksonville. Also surviving are grandchildren John Allen Ball, Mark Ball, Sarah Ball, John Wooten and wife Dana, and Christopher Wooten. Great grandchildren are Alexa Wooten, Sarah Wooten, Benjamin Wooten, Jacob Wooten and baby River Ann Wooten. Surviving nieces and nephews are Alfred Daniels, Paula Manoogian, Gayle Manoogian Spurr and Roberta Manoogian Beltran.

The family will receive guests for visitation at 10 AM Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Central Church of the Nazarene, 2130 University Blvd. N., Jacksonville, FL 32211.

A Celebration of life service will be held at 11 AM, with Pastor David Maxwell officiating. As instructed by Frances, a donut and coffee reception for all will immediately follow the service.

The Interment will be at 1 PM at Arlington Park Cemetery 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, FL. 32211.