Bessie Woodbury Ball's Obituary
A life well-lived, an indelible legacy, a heart of gold grounded in the Christian faith. Bessie “Bess” W. Ball, an entrepreneur, trailblazer, risk-taker, leader, mentor, and adventurer, died on April 23, 2023. Formerly of Philadelphia, PA, Mrs. Ball last resided in Lantana, FL.
Bess W. Ball was born in Hemingway, SC, to the late Abram Woodbury and Bertha Thomas Woodbury. She was raised in Marion, SC, attended college in Atlanta, GA, and Durham, NC. She then moved to Philadelphia, PA, to marry her Marion, SC, sweetheart, the late Richard A. Ball. Bess and Richard raised two children, a daughter Gay and a son Richard II. In 2021, Bess moved to Boynton Beach, FL, to reside with her daughter, son-in-love, and grand-dog, “Mister.”
Bess W. Ball graduated with a Bachelor of Science from North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC). She attended Temple University Graduate School (Philadelphia, PA). She graduated from the Charles Morris Price School of Advertising and Journalism (Philadelphia, PA).
Mrs. Ball started her career as a dressmaker while still in college and as a substitute teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. In 1969, she began her communications career through the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) as an Assistant Director of Consumer Information Services. After ten years with PGW, Bess moved on to the Campbell Soup Company as Supervisor of Radio and Television Publicity, followed by Health Service Plan of Pennsylvania as Director of Public Relations. Under BG&R Associates, Bess served a diversity of clients. She spearheaded a 2.2-million-dollar grant for the Town of Atlantic Beach, South Carolina. She increased the municipality’s tourist trade by 40 percent. BG&R Associates’ public service announcements produced for the School District of Philadelphia won the 1986 "Award of Excellence" and the "Gold Medallion Award" from the National School Public Relations Association. One of many achievements, Bess was the co-publisher and editor of the Tri-State Minority Yellow Pages, a directory of women and minority-owned businesses in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Bess W. Ball, retired as president of BG&R Associates and Tri-State Minority Yellow Pages, Inc. in 2007.
Mrs. Ball is the recipient of many awards for her contributions and work, including the Black New Jersey Magazine "Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the "Cigna/Power 99 "Sistas" Award, for Excellence in Business, The Philadelphia Congress of the National Political Congress of Black Women Award for Outstanding Achievement in Communications within the Philadelphia area, the Pennsylvania Women's Business "Shining Stars" Award, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Award (Pennsylvania Chapter) "1995 Madame C.J. Walker Award." In 1998, the African American Legends Hall of Fame welcomed Bess W. Ball.
In service to both her community and profession, Mrs. Ball shared her expertise as a member and board representative of many organizations, including The Experiment in International Living, The Cobbs Creek Skate House in the Park, the North Carolina Central University Alumni Association, American Women in Radio and Television (member, Chapter board member, and Chapter President) to name a few.
Mrs. Ball loved traveling the world, relaxing on the beach, playing golf, catching Broadway show productions, listening to music, sewing, and spending time with family and friends. She always said in the finest or darkest life circumstances, “Get on your knees and pray.”
Bessie "Bess" W. Ball leaves to cherish her love and legacy daughter Gay M. Ball-O’Brien (Thomas P.), son Richard A. Ball II (Deborah), granddaughter, Aja Bradley, step-grandsons Ramiah J. Brown, Namil A. Brown, Nehemiah M. Brown, two great-grandchildren, Jayden Bradley and Jayla Holloman, brother Aubrey Dale Barnes, and a host of relatives and friends. Her parents Abram and Bertha Thomas, husband Richard Allen Ball, and sister, Lula Alberta Rouse, preceded her in death.
A graveside service will be held Friday, May 12, 2023, at 11:00 EST, at Jerusalem A.M.E. Church (2557 Jerusalem Dr, Hemingway, SC 29554), Reverend Alice Parson Wright, officiating. A repast will be held immediately following at Bella’s Boutique Hotel (111 N. Main Street, Hemingway, SC 29554). The hotel has a limited number of rooms available for out-of-town guests (Call 843-933-4292).
In lieu of flowers, you can honor Bess W. Ball with a contribution to one of the following organizations: Trustbridge Hospice of Palm Beach County: https://trustbridge.com/give/ North Carolina Central University Alumni Association: https://www.nccu.edu/institutional-advancement/office-alumni-relations The Experiment in International Living: https://www.experiment.org/donate-now/
The family of Bess W. Ball encourages all to rejoice in her remarkable life and career. The video, Bess W. Ball, In Her Own Words (and Voice) is available here: https://vimeo.com/800203991
Nothing Gold Can Stay
By Robert Frost
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
What’s your fondest memory of Bessie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bessie?
Share a story where Bessie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bessie you’ll never forget.
How did Bessie make you smile?
