‘Mom’ Ball Celebrates Her 105th Birthday

COURT HOUSE – In 1909, Teddy Roosevelt was handing over the presidency to William Howard Taft. NAACP held its first meeting. Jim Thorpe made his professional pitching debut. “Shine On, Harvest Moon” was the number one song. The American flag had only 46 stars. The average wage was 22 cents per hour, and the average life expectancy was only 47 years. That was also the year Florine Ball, the youngest of 10 siblings, was born in Dublin, Ga.
Family, friends, clergy and elected officials gathered at Court House Convalescent Center May 30 to celebrate “Mom” Ball’s 105th birthday.
Deputy Mayor Daniel Lockwood presented Ball with a proclamation for her years of tireless service to the community. Lockwood told Ball “We’re here today to honor you, and let you know that we value your contributions as part of our community for so many years.”
Along with members of her own house of worship, First Baptist Church of Whitesboro, Ball was honored by members of the congregations of Eureka Baptist Church of Wildwood, and Calvary Baptist Church of Ocean View.
Ball moved to Philadelphia, Pa. with her family in 1917. In 1924, they settled in Whitesboro, and she’s called that community home ever since.
In 1950 she began work as a nurses’ aide at Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital, (now Cape Regional Medical Center), a position she held for 24 years.
In 1947, Ball joined First Baptist Church of Whitesboro, where she married her husband in 1951. A fixture at church events, Ball sang in the choir for over 40 years.
In 2005, Ball became a resident of Court House Convalescent Center. There she is active in musical events, religious programs, and trivia games. When speaking to staff members, it is clear the affection they have for their most-senior resident. She looks forward to her regular visits with friends from First Baptist Church.
Ball enjoyed cake and ice cream at the celebration, as well as lively conversation with many friends from throughout the community. The singing of hymns and “Happy Birthday” could be heard throughout the center. When asked what has been her secret to life, Ball responded without hesitation, “Trusting in the Lord.”