Rosemary Ball Smith's Obituary
Rosemary Ball Smith (Millsaps) - 78 Years Young passed: February 7th, 2025
Born November 18th, 1946 in Oxford, Mississippi, Mrs. Rosemary began life as a daughter to Mrs. Addie Lois Ball (Trotter) and Mr. Milton Lamar Ball. She was immediately a sister to Patrica Kay Ball (Strachn) and soon there would be another sister, Bennie Lois Ball (Woodruff).
Mrs. Rosemary graduated from The Central High School in Memphis, TN, and later from (the then) Memphis State University with a bachelor's degree in Education (1969). She married James Fox Millsaps shortly after and bought her forever home in 1972. Together, they had Amy Frances Edna Millsaps in 1973.
She began her teaching career at Delta Elementary in Walls, Mississippi, during a turbulent time and was said to be "a very nice, cool & sweet" teacher whom students claimed they "enjoyed learning from." Mrs. Rosemary moved onward to teach at Walls Junior High before settling in to teach Biology at the "New" Horn Lake High School.
She remarried Timothy Bryan Smith in March 1980 and retired from teaching in 1982. After retirement, she continued to work from home as a daycare provider. For many years, she kept and loved everyone's kids as though they were her own.
Mrs. Rosemary was always a kind, very generous, and loving person. We will all miss her dearly. She was so many things to so many people… but most of all…she was a child of Christ and my mother.
Preceding in death by her loving husband Mr. Timothy B. Smith, Mrs.Rosemary is survived by the following:
Sisters: Patricia Kay Strachn and Bennie Lois Woodruff (Mike) Daughter: Amy Frances Edna Millsaps Son-in-law: Chad Goings Grandchildren: Nigel Collin Fortson and Isabella Katarina Goings Great-granddog: Thunder Great-grandcat: Mr. Stinky (Shadow).
Mrs. Rosemary is forever remembered in the hearts of everyone's kids, her many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, great nieces & nephews, neighbors, and the entire Queendom of Nelson Avenue.
Please, come as you are, come comfortable and join us in Celebration of Mrs. Rosemary's life.
visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 28, 2025
Memorial Park, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119
Memorial service: 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 1, 2025
2087 Nelson Ave Memphis,TN
Pot-Luck reception to follow in the lounge.
What’s your fondest memory of Rosemary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Rosemary?
Share a story where Rosemary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Rosemary you’ll never forget.
How did Rosemary make you smile?