CABOT - Lincoln C. "L.C." Ball, left for Heaven on Monday Evening, September 24th after a long illness. He was blessed with the love and friendship of family, neighbors and friends for 87 years. He joined his parents, Mr. And Mrs. H.C. Ball and his brother, John Frank Ball.

Remembering him with love are his wife of 64 years, Minnie "Sis" Ball; their daughter Jane and his son-in-law and friend, David Willard of Cabot; his most precious granddaughter, Annabeth and her husband Matt Jackson; and his pride and joy, great-grandchildren, Avari and Tate Jackson, of Conway; and one sister, Emma Laura Gray of Columbia, South Carolina. He loved many nieces and nephews and cherished the time he shared with them. He was grateful for the kindness of his caregivers, Mrs. Judy Smith of Jacksonville, his sister-in -law, Mrs. Martha Gately, of Cabot and Mrs. Cindy Damron of Cabot.

L.C. Was an operating engineer. He retired from Pickens-Bond Construction Company in 1983 after a long and successful career. He took great pride in his work and was named Arkansas Craftsman of the year in 1975. An advocate of education, he encouraged many of the young people in his community to continue their education and supported a number of scholarship programs. A Baptist, Mr. Ball was always happy to support church youth programs and was a Senior High Sunday School Teacher for over 20 years. He was also the oldest living member of the Cabot Masonic Lodge, and a 32nd degree Mason. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

After retirement, he learned to enjoy gardening and tried to grow the biggest tomatoes in Lonoke County. He shared his garden generously and looked forward to visiting with friends who felt at home there. Neighborhood children who found a watermelon on their front porch knew from whom it came.

An avid sportsman, L.C. Enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was a friend of the Earth and practiced conservation and wanted to preserve the joy of the outdoors for his children, nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren. He was most proud of his lifetime fishing license and considered it one of the best parts of his retirement. He loved sharing the fish he caught and telling the stories that went with them. He patiently taught neighborhood children to make and tie lures and how to catch the biggest and best fish. He leaves as a legacy the Bible verse he taught his daughter while trolling for crappie, "He hath made every thing beautiful in His time: also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God." (Ecclesiastes 3:11-13).

In faithful friendship, Robert Gilliam, Jerry Cole, Bill Russell, and nephews Ronnie Gately, Wayne Gately, and Gary Gately will honor him as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include Tom Bush, Jack Lowman, Jim Bennett, Dude Spence, Jack Carrington, Jack Evans, Jack Knox, Will Feland, Charlie Donham, "Stubby", Marty, and Stuart Stumbaugh, Wendel Gibson, Carl Pickard, Robert and Jerry Ross, Austin Gately, Jordan Gately, and Cole Gately.

The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 at the chapel of Cabot Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery