FRANKLINTON -- Jerri Hayward Ball, 87, of Franklinton, died on December 20, 2017 at his home. Born in Franklin County to the late George Hayward and Ruby Pearce Ball, Jerri graduated from Edward Best High School and then briefly served in the Air Force. He married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Jones, in 1949, and they had three daughters who were a source of great joy and pride.

Jerri worked for Burlington Industries for 33 years, most of those years as Planning Manager. While there, he also expanded his lifelong love for racing and building engines, starting Ball Speed Shop in his backyard. After retiring from Burlington, he grew his business into the successful Ball Auto Parts, which for 30 years served car owners, back-yard mechanics, drag racers, and local businesses alike. He was known for his hard work, determination, innate mechanical ability, competitive spirit, consideration and helpfulness for others, and love and care for animals. Jerri could fix anything automotive and build a racing engine that could beat most others. With numerous National Drag Racing records, he was one of the inaugural inductees into the East Coast Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Jerri had difficulty retiring and giving up the business he loved, and in honor of the contributions he and the business had made to Franklinton, the day was marked by the Town as "Jerri Ball Day."

The family is grateful to his daily caregivers, Wendy Pettiford, Tammie Burton, and Preston Daniels, for the tender care, patience, and love they have shown to him and to Carolyn, allowing Jerri to live in his home until his death. We are also grateful to Sharon Fleming, Newell Pender, Corey Pender, and Albert Weaver for their kindnesses and special assistance.

Left to carry on his legacy are his wife of 68 years, Carolyn Jones Ball of the home; daughters, Cynthia Ball and husband Dave Aspnes, and Amy Ball and partner Chris Barrett, all of Raleigh. His much-loved firstborn daughter, the late Carol Annette Ball Hiscoe, left him and the rest of the family much too soon after a short illness in 2016. Also missing him are two grandsons: Jeremy Ball, wife Lee and daughters Elizabeth and Charlotte of Franklin, MA; and Nathaniel Hiscoe of Raleigh; brothers-in-law, Jimmie Kent Jones and wife Jimmie and son Kent, and Hester Jones and children, Michael, Wanda, Greg and Scott and their families; and former son-in-law, David Hiscoe. In recent years, his only sibling, Julia Ball Elam, predeceased him.

Jerri loved and rescued many cats and dogs, and your memorial donations to SAFE Haven for Cats (8431-137 Garvey Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616), in lieu of flowers, would be appreciated. And in recognition of their help after Carolyn and Jerri lost everything to a fire right before their wedding, your donations to the American Red Cross - Triangle Area Chapter (100 N. Peartree Lane, Raleigh, NC 27610) would also mean a lot to Carolyn. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, December 23, at Lancaster Chapel in Franklinton, with burial at Fairview Cemetery.

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