| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 29 Jun 2013.
Smoky Mountain
Home Health & Hospice, Inc.
Presents
The Golden Couple
50 Years - Harold and Gerry (McGaha) Ball
-By Janice Casey
Harold Ball is the son of the late Robert and Nancy Ball and was raised in Cocke County. Gerry, the daughter of the late John and Lucy McGaha, was raised in the Dandridge community of Jefferson County. They met at the White Store (for those of us who remember, the White Store was located where Movie Time Video now sits), where Harold worked. His sense of humor immediately attracted Gerry. She states that he was “fun to be with.” Their first date was a double date with their best friends, and it took place on June 14, 1962. They went to the movies at the Newport Drive-In Theatre. A year later, Harold proposed, and they were married on June 16,1963, at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. He was 19, and Gerry was 16. They lived at Hilltop Apartments on College Street and later bought a home in Indian Hills. They planned to live there and raise their family, but 8 years later, God had another plan for their lives. In all, they have lived in 13 houses and been in 8 churches. Harold has pastored 6 churches for 40+ years.
In 1967, Harold answered God’s call to preach. He told Gerry that he had something very important to discuss with her; she says, “I knew he was either going to ask for a divorce or tell me God had called him to preach, and I didn’t know which would be the worst at that particular time.” She remains so thankful that it was God’s calling that he wanted to discuss. He enrolled in one of the first night classes offered by Walters State Community College while he worked at American Enka and served as pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Bat Harbor. One of the greatest influences on the Ball’s life was Mrs. Carrie Click, a pastor’s wife herself. She guided them in the ministry and encouraged Harold to continue his education. He had a high school education and two sons, Terry and Ronny. Mrs. Click continued to help them the entire time Harold was in college and seminary.
The Balls moved to Jefferson City where Harold attended Carson-Newman and Gerry worked at the Standard Banner. He also pastored at Flat Gap Church. In 1977, he resigned at Flat Gap Church, and the family left for Southeastern Baptist Seminary at Wake Forest in a U-Haul that carried everything they owned and a few saved dollars and no job prospects. They moved into the old football dorms that had been converted into student housing. Within a month, God provided a call from a church near Oxford, NC, a town located an hour from the seminary. The Balls resided in North Carolina for the next 31 years.
Times were tough, but their prayers were always answered in a timely manner. Looking back, they wonder how they managed to stay together. They have decided that neither of them could afford to leave, so they toughed it out! They know that God was with them all the way and continues to be the strength in their marriage. Always put God first and family second; that is the answer. Even then, it takes hard work and commitment to make a strong marriage. Divorce was unheard of – maybe murder but not divorce, they jokingly explain. So they have always tried to support each other whatever the circumstances.
When Harold retired in 2009, they moved home to Tennessee. He asked the Lord to give him a year off, and it was granted to him. He did some supply work, and Memorial Church called him as interim pastor and later as the permanent pastor. They thought their pastorate days were over, but Memorial has been “the icing on the cake.” The Balls cannot say enough about their church and its congregation. They explain, “They helped our family with our 50th anniversary celebration by providing a bounty of food and lots of help. They are a special and fantastic congregation, who loves the Lord.”
On Sunday of their anniversary date, Harold’s sermon was about love, and at the end of the service, he surprised Gerry by saying, “Fifty years ago I told you I loved you and now I think it’s time I tell you again. Gerry, I love you,” as he presented her with an anniversary ring and as Kari Allen sang “You are the Wind Beneath My Wings.” They hope to have 50 more years together. To complete the family, there are 6 grandchildren.
In his spare time, Harold plays golf, and Gerry is an avid reader. His advice to young couples thinking about marriage is, “There are no perfect people; there is no perfect relationship. Be totally committed to God and family. Never argue with a woman. You will never win. Never offer an opinion, even when asked for, because it will be wrong.” She reiterates that commitment is key, that you are married for better or for worse for your entire married life.”
For sharing their story on how to have a successful, happy marriage, we are proud to honor Harold and Gerry Ball as the Golden Couple for June.
The Golden Couple
50 Years - Harold and Gerry (McGaha) Ball
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