Esther M. Ferrell

Esther M. Ferrell, 78, of New Castle, passed away Monday, February 17, 2025, in Henry Community Health. She was born May 25, 1946, in Indianapolis, a daughter of the late Jarvis M. and Delia Maxie (Key) Smith.

Esther enjoyed cooking, sewing, crocheting, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved her dogs. As a result of difficult childhood circumstances, she was taken in by Shelby and Thelma Ball as a young teenager. She fell in love with their son, who would eventually become her husband and the father of her four sons. She highly respected her brothers. She lived in New Mexico for over 20 years before moving to Henry County in 2000.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Estel Ray Ferrell of New Castle; four sons, Shelby Eugene (April) Ball of Liberty, Kenneth Lee Ball of Fountaintown, James Albert Ball (Crystal) of Indianapolis, and Donald Ray Ball (Cassandra Clark) of Greenfield; grandchildren, Derrick Clayton Ball, Shelbie Ball, Andrea Lynn Ball, Kenneth Lee Ball, Jr., Wade Ball, Wyatt Ball, and Winnie Ball, Izadora Star McKee, Tori Ball, Zeuing James Ball, Tori Ann Ball, Samuel Slade Ball, Ronnie Dale Ball; step-children, Kay (Paul) Lawson, New Castle, Vickie (Scott) Heavin, Fishers, and Harrison Braswell, New Castle, Connie (Jerry) Hancock, Virginia Jenkins, and James Ferrell, all of Kentucky; several step-grandchildren; “adopted children”, B.J. and DeLaine Corbin; “adopted” grandchildren, Kimberly Zoe Harris, Tyler McCreary; a brother, Carl Edward Smith of Missouri; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jarvis M. Smith; mother, Delia Maxie Key Hawkins; three brothers, Robert Eugene Smith, Jack Earl Smith, and John Ray Stewart.

Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Park Cemetery in Greenfield with Rev. Paul Lawson officiating. A private viewing will take place at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle, where arrangements have been entrusted. You may share condolences and memories of Esther at www.hinsey-brown.com.