Beatrice Ball Ashurst

Beatrice Ball Ashurst, 89, of Wallins Creek, Kentucky peacefully slipped away on the early morning hours of May 5, 2014 to spend eternity with the Lord. In spite of her age, she never thought about growing old. She was quick to smile as she looked you in the eyes and shook your hand. She had a happiness that was evident in her quick wit. Her curiosity was constantly awhirl as it varied from the life of Abraham Lincoln to current events or the rebirth of spring flowers. She was a member of the American Rosie The Riveter Association, having served on the World War II home front as a riveter for Goodyear Aircraft Corporation in Akron, Ohio. She later operated a drill press at Cadillac Motor Car in Detroit, Michigan. Eventually returning to Harlan, she became a meticulous bookkeeper for the Daniel Boone Clinic until she retired. After retirement, her love of learning, and ever-youthful outlook on life, led her to attend classes and earn her first Associates Degree from Southeast Community College in 1993. She counted walking across the stage to receive her degree as one of the proudest moments of her life. She continued to take classes, earning a second Associates Degree. Aside from her ongoing pursuit of higher education, she enjoyed caring for animals. She had a remarkable way of coaxing even the most timid dog to her side as she demonstrated an incredible devotion as a pet owner. She was a substitute teacher for many years, was a member of the Wallins Homemaker Club, and previously belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, Wallins #396. Most of all, she declared that she was a Christian, belonging to the Lord.


Preceding her in death were her parents Smith Marion and Emma Lewis Ball, maternal grandparents Carter and Mary Turner Lewis, paternal grandparents Allen and Ellender Jane Smith Ball, brothers Woodrow, Willard, and Creed Ball, half-brothers Dizney, Charlie, Carter, and Robert (Bob) Ball and half-sister Ethel Ball Gilbert, and husband John Samuel Ashurst.

Left to celebrate the joy of her life are the families of her two sons, John Marion and Vikki Lynne Mosley Ashurst, Harlan and Michael Lee and Rebecca Kaye Jones Ashurst, Corbin; five grandchildren, Mikey, Brooklyn, Kameryn, and Emmalyn Ashurst, Corbin, and Jennifer Ashurst-Norris and husband Jason Norris, Knoxville, Tennessee; one great-grandchild, Elijah Boone Norris, Knoxville; and cousin Lee Ball, Tucson, Arizona. More than family, the memory of her vivacious life will linger long with friends from school, work and where she shopped.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 7, 2014 from 5 to 7PM at Mount Pleasant Funeral Home. Funeral will follow at 7PM in the chapel of Mount Pleasant with the Rev. Jimmy Thomas, Wallins Church of God, Wallins, KY, Senior Pastor, Richie Smith, 17th Street Christian Church, Corbin, KY and Youth Minister, Alex Idle, 17th Street Christian Church, Corbin, KY officiating. Burial will be Thursday, May 8 at 1PM at Resthaven Cemetery, Keith, KY with friends and family serving as pallbearers.