Yvonne Balls

Born in New Orleans, LA on November 13, 1921

Departed on May 16, 2015 and resided in Nashville, TN

Yvonne Cornu Balls, "Granny" to generations of friends and family, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the age of 93.

She was born in New Orleans on Nov. 13, 1921 and grew up in Atlanta and Chicago-hence her longtime love of the Cubs. In a time when women barely finished high school, she majored in French at Fontbonne College in St. Louis. In a time when the men went to war, she joined the navy, became a lieutenant and decoded secret messages during World War II.

She was devoted-always making her husband, navy pilot John Balls, and their four children her top priority. She was eternally adaptable-listening to books on tape after eye issues made her close her beloved books. She was generous to a fault-giving money to anyone who'd ask and even those who didn't. And she was fiercely independent, happily traveling the world.

She loved George Strait and Hershey bars. She loved gardening and children. And she loved God so much she said her prayers on her knees every night until she couldn't get back up anymore.

She's preceded in death by John Joseph Balls, Sr. and leaves behind

Survivors include her children, John (Sharon) Ball, Jr. of Atlanta, GA, Janet B. (Robert) Gwinn of Nashville, TN, Stephen E. (Barbara) Ball of Naperville, IL & Nancy B. Murphy of Nashville, TN; 12 grandchildren & 11 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 10:00 am at St Matthew Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Helen Keller Foundation, 1201 11th Ave south # 300, Birmingham, AL 35205, to advance the work of another great woman who embraced possibilities over limitations, in loving memory of Yvonne Cornu Balls.