Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball

ALLEN, TEXAS: Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball, 50, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, December 2, 2008, while at home with loving friends and family by her side.

Born in Dallas, Texas, she was raised in the Carrollton - Farmers Branch area. She graduated from North Texas State University in 1981, and earned her Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at SMU. She was ordained in 1983 as a Deacon and Probationary Member of the North Texas Conference, and as an Elder and Full Member of the North Texas Conference in 1988.

Kathleen is best known for her work with youth and for her dynamic preaching. She had served at Holy Covenant Methodist Church in Carrollton, First United Methodist Church in Wichita Falls, First United Methodist Church in Denton, Nueva Esperanza Fellowship in West Dallas, Greenland Hills United Methodist Church in Dallas, and as Senior Pastor of the Suncreek United Methodist Church in Allen.

She is survived by her husband, Bill D. Ball Jr. of Allen; their 4-year-old son, Skyler of Allen; two sisters, Diane Baskin of Denton, and Julie Baskin Chastain of Coppell; a brother, Richard Baskin of Meansville, Georgia; her parents, Gene and Peggy Baskin of Lewisville; and her best friend, Rev. Lisa Greenwood Wolcott of Commerce.

Memorial services will be conducted at 3:00 PM Saturday at the First United Methodist Church of Richardson.

Memorials may be made to a fund at Suncreek United Methodist Church - 1517 W. McDermott Drive, Allen, TX 75013 - to support placing a pastor in one of Dallas' most impoverished neighborhoods.