- Date Of Birth: October 14, 1927
- Date Of Death: April 28, 2018
- State: California
Leona White Ball was born October 14, 1927, surviving her twin sister Lerther, at the family residence in Algiers, Louisiana, to the union of Daniel White, Sr. and Alberta Ruffin White. She transitioned to be with our Lord on April 28, 2018 at the age of 90 years old. She was the second oldest of eight children from that union that included 6 girls and 2 boys. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior early in life and, throughout her long and arduous but nevertheless extremely blessed journey, found Him to have never abandoned her.
In 1943, from her union with Gilbert Lewis, Leona gave birth to her first son, Robert E. Lewis. Four years later in 1947, from her marriage with Thomas K. Johnson, Sr., she gave birth to another son, Thomas K. Johnson, Jr. In 1953 after moving to Los Angeles to assist her sister during her first pregnancy, she eventually divorced before shortly thereafter finding the true love of her life, Earlie Ball, Jr., a marriage that spanned 30 years until his untimely death in 1984. From that love affair, they were blessed with a daughter to go along with her two budding young men, Cheryl Lynn Ball in 1959.
In a most appropriate description, Black Gal, as Leona was most affectionately called from early on in life, was one feisty, opinionated and unapologetic ‘what you see, is what you get’ lady. This endeared her to so many throughout the years, and her impact on 5 generations of folks can never be overstated. She would answer to Lee, Nana, Granny, Auntie Lee, Mizz Ball, and on and on and on, all monikers of mutual love and respect. Her generosity was unending, and her care and concern had no limits when reaching out to those in need. Of course, she refused to hold her tongue, dispensing her straight-shooter wisdom without holding anything back. Otherwise, she was pretty much tight-lipped if the love was missing. And as many were well aware, Leona’s keen sense of observation and her radar ears made it nearly impossible for anything to escape her purview.
After her daughter Cheryl disappeared in 1983, never to return, and husband Earlie passed away a year later, this tough little 105-pound woman raised her grandson, Earl L. De Coud, from the age of nine into manhood. Saddled with many physical ailments and surviving several major surgeries, Leona was the tallest and toughest 5-foot 1-inch woman one could ever imagine! Hers was truly an indomitable spirit.
Over the years, Leona worked in a variety of occupations, but retired from the Sears, Roebuck and Company in 1974, where she was an Order Fulfillment Processor in the catalog center for 11 years. From 1985 until the age of 85 twenty-eight years later, she independently maintained her own apartment in what is commonly known as the “Jungle”, and tirelessly devoted her time and energy as a volunteer at the Jim Gilliam Senior Citizens Center; known, loved and protected by all who graced her path. A sustained illness led to her giving up her “Jungle” abode for Caring Hands Elderly Care, an assisted living facility in Apple Valley, California where she continued to profoundly impact all who came in contact with her diminutive yet towering personality. After a long sustained journey, she was lovingly and compassionately lifted up by He whose footsteps forever cover the sands.
Leona was preceded in death by her father Daniel White, Sr., mother Alberta White, husband Earlie Ball, Jr., daughter Cheryl Lynn Ball, brother Daniel White, Jr., and sisters Lerther White, Angelina Wright, Beulah Mae White and Olivia Beattie.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory; sons Robert E. Lewis and Thomas K. Johnson, Jr., granddaughter April C. McDonald, grandson Earl L. De Coud, great grand adults Brittany McDonald, Earl L. De Coud, Jr. and Tyree J. McDonald, her sister Marguerita Thompson, her brother Manuel White and a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, great-grandnephews, adopted into her heart young adults and an immeasurable number of friends. May Leona forever rest in peace for a job well done.
