Memorials › Mary Frances Ball Dutton

Mary Frances Ball Dutton

7 Nov 1922 – 30 Mar 2010

Birth7 Nov 1922
Death30 Mar 2010
CemeteryHighland Park Cemetery
Borger , Hutchinson County , Texas , USA
Added byJody Ewing on 23 Jun 2016
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50467411

Bio

Mary Frances Ball Dutton went to her mansion over the hilltop on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 after a brief illness. She was born in the community of Payne, in Union County, Arkansas, on November 7, 1922, to Armon Linford and Grace Harrison Ball. (Payne was almost due west of the Union County town of Strong). Mary graduated at age 16 as valedictorian of her class at Strong High School in Strong, Arkansas. She then attended El Dorado Jr. College. She married Bob Dutton in Knoxville, Tenn. and they made their home in Borger, Texas. Her outgoing personality made her successful in a variety of jobs. She taught school, worked in retail sales and was a feature writer of the "Borger News Herald" and "Lamb County Leader News." She was also the Public Relations Director for Frank Phillips College. Mary was a best selling author. Her novel, "Thorpe," was a Book of the Month Selection and a Literary Guild Selection. It was published in England and Germany, as well as being chosen for Books for the Blind. "Thorpe" was also a made for TV movie. She was honored by the Girl Scouts as a Woman of Distinction, and was an honorary member of Beta Sigma Phi. She was a member of Altrusa Club of Borger. She is survived by her sons, Dr. Richard Dutton and wife Barbara of Palestine and Bob W. Dutton and wife Lettie of Midland; daughter, Becky Gruver and husband Davis of Littlefield; five granddaughters, Michelle Berry and husband Rev. Scott Berry, Denise Jordan and husband Chuck, Robin Cookston and husband Jeff, Lara Weber and husband Steve and Amy Gravitt and husband Russell; one grandson, Jason Gruver; a sister, Meda Sellers and husband Dean of Duncan, Okla.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Waiting for her in Heaven were her parents; her husband of 35 years, Bob; a brother, A.L., Jr.; and a sister, Grace Ball Windwehen. Services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, April 5, 2010 at Minton-Chatwell Funeral Home Chapel in Borger, Texas, with Rev. Scott Berry of FBC Southlake officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Park Cemetery in Borger, Texas. The family will receive friends at Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield on Friday, April 2, 2010 from 5 to 6 p.m. Arrangements are under the personal care of Hillcrest Funeral Home of Littlefield and Minton-Chatwell Funeral Home of Borger. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to The Arthritis Foundation or charity of your choice. _________________________________________ The Ball family of Payne/Strong, Union County, Arkansas, once owned and operated a dry-goods store at Strong, which was located in the Wallace-Clark Building. This is believed to have been in operation in the mid to late 1940s. (Entered by Michael K. Burson, from information told to him by a cousin.)

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