Florence, SC Leona Schlehr Ball, 89, of Florence SC passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at Heritage Home in Florence. Mrs. Ball was born on March 16, 1923 in Dunkirk, New York, a daughter of the late Lewis and Mary Schlehr of Altoona, PA. She was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Raymond Ball, Founding Minister of Parkwood Presbyterian Church. Leona graduated from Columbia Bible College in 1947 where she met Ray. They married and served at several churches in Georgia where Leona served as Choir Director or sang in the choir before they moved to Florence. She was active in Ladies circle meetings, served as Historian and as Elder for Parkwood. After his passing in 1971, she attended Francis Marion College before becoming employed with SC Dept of Social Services. She retired in 1988 as Supervisor of Homemakers for DSS. Leona will be remembered as artistic, musically inclined, and witty mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who's heart was devoted to her family and church. She loved cooking, painting, reading, sewing, and crafts. Her family and friends will always remember her love for the Lord, honesty, and gentle smile Surviving are her children, Connie (Don) Connell of Statesboro, Ga., Kathie (Jim) Montgomery of Greensboro, NC, and Beverly (Hal) Rhodes of Myrtle Beach, SC; and her grandchildren, Chris Connell, Reid Connell, Anslee Connell, Ashley Rhodes Pfirman, Audrey Rhodes Northrup, and Austin Rhodes. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the wonderful staff at The Heritage Home of Florence for their loving care and kindness over the past several years. A graveside service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 3:00 PM. The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery. Memorials may be made to Parkwood Presbyterian Church of Florence, SC.