Sharon Ball

Obituary for
Sharon Lee Murphy Ball

Sharon Lee Murphy Ball, a treasured wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on October 16, 2018.

Sharon was born June 12, 1931 in Huntington Park, California, to Clive A. and Margaret L. Murphy. She was a graduate of Huntington Park High School, received her Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA, and her Master’s Degree from Cal State Los Angeles. She was a devoted teacher in Special Education for 30 years. She retired from the Azusa Unified School District in 1991. Sharon met her husband while attending UCLA. Following graduation they lived in West Virginia and Indiana before returning to Southern California. There they lived in Pomona for 10 years before settling in Diamond Bar, which was home to their family for over 40 years. Recently, as her health declined, they moved to Utah so she could be with her sister, who comforted and cared for her selflessly.

Sharon was a service minded and generous lady. She cared for, taught, and tutored many children over the years, and many became an extension of her own family. She served faithfully in all her church callings, but was particularly fond of the Primary. She was always helping others and could be found assisting in the kitchen at any ward function or reception. “Can I get you something?” was a frequently used phrase that she is remembered for by anyone who spent time in her home. She enjoyed reading, movies, concerts and cultural events, and sporting events for her sons. Above all things she cherished her family, immediate and extended, and enjoyed traveling with her husband, visiting with her siblings, and spending time with her sons and their families.

Sharon is survived by her husband Thomas S. Ball, her sons Thomas B. (Julia) Ball and Timothy A. (Natalie) Ball, and her five grandchildren; Lilly, Brendon, Alexa, Tristan, and Jaron. She is also survived by her younger siblings H. Clive Murphy and Kathy Brinton.

The funeral service for Sharon will take place Friday, October 26, 2018, at 11:00 am. The service will be held at the Nelson Family Mortuary at 4780 N. University Avenue in Provo, Utah. The funeral will be streamed online for the benefit of family and friends out of state. Interment will be at East Lawn Cemetery in Provo.