Bessie Bernadine "Bernie" Ball

Bessie Bernadine “Bernie” Ball, 88 was ushered into the gates of Heaven on September 12, 2014.She was born November 16, 1925 in Creston, Wirt County, W.Va., the daughter of the late Martin Hugh and Osa Collins Richards. She was a lifelong member of 19th St. Church of God where she sang in the choir for many years and was part of the Ladies Trio, along with her sister, Lucille Hungate and her niece, Dora Daley who both preceded her in death.Bernie was an outstanding seamstress and an amazing gardener. She has been declared the best peanut butter cookie maker ever. Her cooking and canning skills were very much appreciated by her family. But her most outstanding quality was her love of God and the faith she shared with everyone she knew.She married Robert Brooks Ball on March 5, 1946. He preceded her in death in 2004 after 58 years of marriage.She is survived by her son, Bob Ball II (Judy) of Parkersburg, W.Va.; and her daughter, Caroline Swanson of Charleston, W.Va.; four grandchildren, Jennifer Swanson of Portland, OR, Duane Swanson III of Charleston, Laura Chamberlain (Curtis) of Cambridge, OH and Rob Ball (Jess Porter) of Parkersburg; and great-grandchildren, Christian and Nicole Ball of Parkersburg. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Dailey of Vienna and several special nieces and nephews who adored her and she adored them. The entire family was blessed to know and love this Proverbs 31 woman.She was preceded in death by her brothers, Hugh Richards, William Richards and Lemuel Richards; and her sisters, Beulah Mahoney, Lucille Hungate and Dot Dailey. Her family would like to thank Dr. Nik Shah and Dr. Joan Allman for many years of exceptional care, the staff of Love and Care Personal Care Home for the love shown in their facility and to the staff at Willows Nursing Home for making Bernie part of their family the past two years. Special gratitude to Nurse Amanda Hicks.Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014 at the 19th St. Church of God with her great-nephew Pastor Jimmie Cox and Pastor Mike Cox officiating. Burial will follow at Rockland Cemetery in Belpre, Ohio. Visitation will be 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the church and one hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.Donations may be made to Love and Care Personal Care Home, 5368 DuPont Rd. Parkersburg or to the children's home of Bihar, India at NIEA 305 Old Ashby Ridge Rd. Parkersburg, WV 26104. Envelopes will be available at the church.