Orpha Alma Ball, 79, of Roderfield, WV, passed away Friday, September 20, 2013, in the Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, WV, following a long illness. She was a homemaker, and attended the Little Vine Baptist Church. She and her husband, Homer Blankenship, operated the Blankenship Market in Pineville, WV, for 35 years. She married James Thomas Bailey (B. 1934) on October 24, 1955 in Welch, McDowell County, WV (per WV Marriage License Register, McDowell County, WV, 1955, Page 163, Application Date: October 2, 1955). The marriage ended in divorce.

Ms. Ball was born November 26, 1933, in Long Pole, WV, a daughter of the late Dorsey E. Lester (1909-1991) and Mae Lockhart-Lester (1909-2002). In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her second husband, Homer Blankenship (1922-2003) whom she married on February 8, 1963 in Lebanon, Russell County, VA; third husband, Vineyard Porter "Paul" Ball (1932-2012) whom she married in 2003; an infant sister (Deceased); and one brother, Roger Lester (Deceased).

Survivors include two daughters, Crystal Blankenship-Bishop & husband Freddy Bishop of Jesse, WV, and Rene Blankenship-Rocchi & husband Vick Rocchi of Bluefield, WV; five sons, Michael Landon "Joe" Blankenship (1960-2020) of the home, David Blankenship & wife Becky Blankenship of Oceana, WV, Terreal Blankenship & wife Debbie Blankenship of Beckley, WV, William "Bill" Blankenship of Clanton, AL, and J.R. Blankenship & wife Yuva of GA; one stepdaughter, Paula Ball-Simpson & husband Mark Simpson of Maitland, WV; one sister, Gaye Lester-Lane of Roderfield, WV; two brothers, Don Lester of Gary, WV, and Franklin Lester & wife Reba Lester of Chesapeake, VA; seven grandchildren, Andrea Privett & husband Doug Privett of Keyrock, WV, Freddy Bishop & wife Maggie Bishop of Jesse, WV, D.J. Blankenship of Bruno, WV, Amber Cains & husband Brad Cains of Proctorville, OH, Brianna Blankenship of Beckley, WV, Marissa Blankenship also of Beckley, WV, Cody Rocchi of Pineville, WV; and two great-grandchildren, Caleb Privett of Keyrock, WV, and Seth Bishop of Jesse, WV.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, September 24, 2013, at 1:00 PM with Reverend Craig Stevens and Reverend Stan Lowrey officiating at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Welch, WV. Burial will follow in Iaeger Memorial Cemetery at Roderfield, WV.