Dora La Vera Ball Funeral Program

LIFE JOURNEY Dora’s

Dora La Vera Ball, 84, entered eternal rest on January 20, 2022. She was born October 8, 1937, in Seguin, Texas. Dora La Vera was the second of four children born to Charles Ball and Docia Shepherd Ball. She was the first granddaughter born into the Ball family. Dora’s first name was taken from Charles Ball’s mother, and La Vera’s second name was from Docia Shepherd’s mother’s name.

Dora La Vera accepted Christ at an early age. She joined Zion Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev Arnold. Dora La Vera along with her brother, Charles, were baptized in the Guadalupe River soon after she became an usher. While still in Seguin, she attended and finished the Hick Beauty School Academy. In 1958, Dora moved to Houston, Texas where she found employment at the Beauty Pavillion under the management of Mr. Carl Gautchi.

Vera started her career at the Beauty Pavilion as a shampoo assistant. She worked long hours learning more about hair color. Becoming a well known hair color specialist at the Beauty Pavilion located at 4747 Westheimer. Vera’s customers have been with her for more than 58 years. Ninety percent of Vera’s customers were not just clientele, they were friends. She served some of her client’s families well into their fourth generation. She colored and styled many members of the Houston Junior League for many years.

La Vera was a member and the church receptionist at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church. She moved her membership to Gethsemane Baptist Church, where she was a part of the Hospitality Committee. La Vera loved to talk and laugh with all of her family and friends. She was an avid reader of novels who also enjoyed baking and gardening in her leisure time.

Dora La Vera is preceded in death by her father: Charles W. Ball; mother: Docia B. Shepherd Thomas; brother: Deacon Charles Edward Ball. Left to cherish her loving memory, daughter: Lutchon Ball Cooper & husband William III; grandchildren: William F. Cooper IV and Joshua L. Cooper; sisters: Nora Lee Durham & husband John, Wonder L. Revels.

LOVE Tributes of

Remembering…. To the living, I am gone. To the sorrowful, I will never return. To the angry, I was cheated. But to the happy, I am at peace. And to the faithful, I have never left. I cannot be seen, but I can be heard. So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea, remember me. As you look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty, remember me. As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity, remember me. Remember me in your hearts, your thoughts, your memories of the time we loved. The time we cried, the time we fought, the time we laughed. For if you always think of me, I will never be gone. __Anonymous

Thank you Grandmother for all of your love and wisdom. You watched us grow and taught us important lessons along the way. You taught us to learn something new everyday. You taught us to strive to be the best person we can be. And you reminded us that there’s always room at the top for one more. We truly appreciate and love you for that. Until we meet again.

Love, William Cooper IV and Joshua Cooper

Yesterday is already a dream, tomorrow a vision but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and a vision of eternal life. We are here for the remembrance of Dora La Vera Ball, my sister. She was a faithful servant of the Lord. She loved the Lord and served faithfully. May she rest in peace, a good and faithful servant of The Lord has been called home from her labor to reside in heaven.

Right from the moment I met her, I became aware I was not just marrying her daughter, she also came with the package too. She was there in the late hours when our children were born. Soon after, I was called to active duty for about one year and she moved into my home and provided comfort and care to my new family. I will always be grateful for her support in times of need. When any member of our family would get sick, she always provided a meal and a word of comfort. Every holiday or birthday or vacation was ready to celebrate and had her luggage packed and ready to travel at the drop of a hat. Oh boy she was funny! When the grandchildren entered school she made every play, recital, or sport event that they were a part of. When her grandchildren were of age, she started saving for their college fund and always encouraged them to seek higher education. When William and Joshua graduated from Day Care, Elementary, Junior High, Senior High School, and College she was there with a glow of approval. And at every event along the way, she would insist on celebrating at her favorite restaurant. Yes, she had ingrained herself in our family and I just had to live with it for better or worse, for sure there were far more better days than worse ones. She has only recently been called home to be with the Lord, but already when I look for her to my left or right and she is not there. I can not begin to describe the feelings of loss. I feel in my heart and soul when I look into the eyes of my sons and my wife and see the hurt from missing someone who was and still is so important to us. It will take some time for us to get past our grief, but we will, for we are a strong family and Vera shined such a bright light in our lives that only gets brighter with me. I am sure that she is in the house of the Lord and surely we will see her again. Amen

William Frank Cooper, III

Wonder Louise Revels

I will always remember you, Love your daughter Lutchon Louise Ball-Cooper

We will miss our living sister. John and Norva Durham

MEMORIES Precious

TAKE MY HAND” “Precious Lord

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m lone Through the storm, through the night Lead me on to the light Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near When my light is almost gone Hear my cry, hear my call Hold my hand lest I fall Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near And the day is past and gone At the river I stand Guide my feet, hold my hand Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m lone Through the storm, through the night Lead me on to the light Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

ACTIVE PALLBEARERS

William Cooper, IV Joshua Cooper

Rev. Philip Hagans, II Nathaniel Stewart Frederick Hancock

David Myers

HONORARY PALLBEARERS

Men of the Reuben Tribe (October)

EXPRESSIONS OF GRATITUDE

The family of Dora La Vera Ball extend our most heartfelt thanks to all of our family and friends for your numerous acts of kindness and prayers.

Thank you, The Ball-Cooper Family

Brookside Funeral Home & Memorial Park 13747 Eastex Freeway Houston, Texas 77039

Brookside Funeral Home 13747 Eastex Freeway Houston, Texas 77039

Funeral Programs Designed by Cedric Stover (713) 922-5282 • cedstover.com