Funeral services were held Saturday, October 29, 2016, at Hollisday Creek M. B. Church, Carson, for Mr. Johnny Ray Ball, 62, who died Thursday, October 20, 2016, at his residence.  Elder Michael Bass, officiated with interment following in Green Grove M. B. Church cemetery.  Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Johnny Ray Ball was born to the late I. J. and Mary Jane Smith Ball.  He joined Green Grove M. B. Church at an early age and later joined Mt. Olive M. B. Church, Hattiesburg.

He began his education at J. E. Johnson and Prentiss High School.  In 1995, he continued his education at the University of Southern Mississippi graduating in 1988 with a double major in Psychology and Social Rehabilitation Services.  He went on to obtain his Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling in May 2003 from Jackson State University.  He joined the military at the age of 17; he received many medals, honors and commendations.  After serving 22 years, he retired in December 1993 with rank of Sergeant First Class.  While stationed in Ft. Gordon, Georgia, he met and married Wynona Martin and to this union, two daughters were born, G. Nicole and Quanda Ball.

Ball began employment with Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services in April 1999; after several promotions, he retired in 2014 as a Regional Manager with 15 years of service.

He was preceded in death by: one brother, Frank Ball and one sister, Mae Shirley Ball.

He is survived by: daughters, Ghitana N. Ball and Quanda R. Ball; stepdaughter, Tammy Meyers; stepson, Tony Martin all of Georgia; 6 grandchildren; three brothers, I. V. (Valerie) Ball of Ontario, Canada, Bobby (Debra) Ball of Ft. Pierce, Florida, Mark (Rosetta) Ball of Carson; five sisters, Helen (Woody) Blackmon of Prentiss, Vetter (Felton) Lackland of St. Louis; Joyce Jackson, Rose Ball and Sherry Lynn Price all of Prentiss; two aunts; one God-son, Torri Caldwell, Sr. of Columbus, Georgia; special friend, Rose Powell of Prentiss; many other relatives and friends.