ELKHART — Melissia J. "Jawain" Ball, 55, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully following a brief illness, at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, at 12:03 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018.

She was born, Dec. 18, 1962, in West Hamlin, West Virginia, to the late James L. McCoy and Brookie (Harbor) Wilmore.

On July 26, 1992, she married James "Jay" Ball in Elkhart, where he continues to reside at home.

Also surviving are children Jessica (Tim) Coburn, Trina (Rick) Medford, Brandy (Mike Shoufler) and James (Denise) Ball, Bret (Courtney Jacobs) and Christopher Parmer; siblings Robert "Bob" (Beth), Brian Wilmore, David McCoy and Laurie (Delbert) Ritchie; former daughter-in-law Maricela Parmer; 16 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Her stepfather, Robert "Bob" Wilmore preceded her in death as well.

Jawain worked several years in the local manufacturing industry, but she was best known as a homemaker who loved to laugh, dance, sing and live life to the fullest.

Her sense of humor, spontaneity and infectious smile and laugh were ever present, and she was never afraid to drop everything to help someone else in need.

She will be remembered for her ease at speaking her peace and her ability to turn strangers into friends.

A funeral service will be at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services at 1 p.m. with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12.

Pastor Gary Lewis of the Bristol United Methodist Church will officiate, and burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola.