Thelma Ball Walton

Obituary For Thelma Ball Walton

Thelma Ball Walton was born on November 4, 1946, to the late Sam and Adell Ball in Wilkes County, Georgia. She passed away in death at age 78 on January 23, 2025. She is preceded in death by her husband, Roster Walton and 15 other siblings.

Thelma lived in Atlanta, GA for a while, but resided in Athens, GA, for most of her adult life. As she prepared for retirement, she moved back home to Rayle, GA, purchasing land next to her sister Shirley. Thelma lived a satisfying and fulfilling life. Friends and family alike appreciated her generosity and the love she showed. Thelma was always smiling and reciting words to live by. Thelma was a hard worker, spending many years working at General Times and retiring on disability from Carrier Transicold. Thelma loved her Heavenly Father, Jehovah and talked about him as often as she could. In 1977, Thelma dedicated her life to Jehovah, alongside her sister Shirley, often referring to themselves as spiritual twins. For the last 15 year of her life she served as a Regular Pioneer (full-time ministry) in the Washington and Union Point GA Congregations. As her health failed Thelma remained active in her Christian ministry in the Union Point Congregation with Evader as her pioneer partner.

Thelma never had birth children, but she became a mother to many. She was a doting stepmother to Randy Barnhardt, Kevin Manago, and Kenneth Manago, from a prior marriage to Willie James Manago. Thelma was especially close to her niece, Evader Bailey, great­-nephews, Richard (Maya) and Cedric (Gina) Bailey. Thelma lived with Evader, who was her caregiver, for the last 2 years. Through Evader, she developed a special auntie relationship with Michael, Kim, and Jayla Turner.

Thelma is survived by one sister: Shirley Ball Daniel of Rayle, GA; nieces, Patricia Johnson and Leola (Roland) Jackson of Chattanooga, TN, Evader Bailey of Greensboro, GA, Bonita Green, Shirley Ball, and Martina (Ron) Washington of Philadelphia, PA, Tanya (Bill) Brown of New Castle, Delaware, Bertha Towns, of Athens, GA, Zdell Ball of Alabama, DeDe (Ronnie) Mercier of Rayle, GA; nephews, Ronnie (Michelle) Hull of Stone Mountain, GA, Bennie Ball, Marcel (Minnie) Ball, and Emmanuel Ball of Philadelphia, PA, Eugene Ball of Chattanooga, TN, Andre Ball (Melinda) and Lavonne Ball of Atlanta, GA, Ricky Ball of Philomath, GA, a host of great-­nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held February 1, 2025 from the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness 422 N Bypass W, Washington, GA 30673 at 11am.