Dorothy Graham Caserta

Dorothy “Dottie” Graham Caserta Bailey, 77, long-time resident of Gretna, LA, died Thursday, August, 15th 2013 at Oschner Hospital in Gretna, LA. She was born on the 11th day of June in 1936 at Hale Hospital in Haverhill, MA. She was the daughter of the late Thomas Napoléon and Gladys Wilson (Massie) Graham of Haverhill. She was first generation American of a family of American patriots. Her father, 3 brothers, 3 husbands and both of her sons served our country with military service. She was the youngest of 5 children. Dottie attended Haverhill schools and graduated from Haverhill High School in 1953. After graduation Dottie married Wilbur “Wil” Fiske Ball, Jr. also of Haverhill and they had 4 children together before divorcing in 1974. Wil was in the United States Coast Guard, so the family lived in Haverhill, MA, New Bedford, MA, Hialeah, FL, Hollywood, FL, Glen Burnie, MD, Haverhill, MA and Algiers, LA, before residing in Gretna, LA where she lived for 44 years.
She is predeceased in death by her parents, a sister Ann Elizabeth wife of the late Ernest William “Bill” Lambert of St. Cloud, FL, a brother William Gordon and his wife Anne (Colletto) Graham of Haverhill and two step-sisters, Muriel Graham and her husband Joseph Collins of Haverhill, and Florence Graham and her husband George Berry of Fulton, NY, sister-in-law Shirley Adams ex-wife of her brother “Dick” Graham of Bradford, MA, sister-in-law Arlene Allen wife of her brother “Bobby” Graham of Haverhill. She was sadly predeceased in death by her husbands: Wilbur “Wil” Ball of Viera, FL, Jerome “Jerry” Caserta of Gretna, LA and Clarence “Butch” Bailey of Gretna, LA.
She is survived by her brother Richard “Dick” (Irene Chase) of Concord, NH and her brother Thomas “Bobby” Graham of Haverhill. Dottie raised 4 successful children of whom she was extremely proud. She believed with all her heart and soul that her progeny were true gifts from God and she loved them to the moon and back. Her children knew that they were blessed to have a mom who loved them without end and they loved her with all their hearts and souls. Her children were devoted to her and they loved their mother dearly: her son Thomas William of Duncan, OK, daughter Susan Lynne (Thomas Lucas) of Bremen, GA, daughter Cherryl Ann (Kirk Wallbillich) of Frisco, TX, son David Michael (Michelle Clement) of Niceville, FL. She was “Nannie” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Graham Ball (Ashley Neff), Conroe, TX, Joshua Lucas (Mikki Peddy), Villa Rica, GA, Lisa Ball (Brandon Jasper), Cincinnati, OH, Rachel Ball, Cincinnati, OH and Elizabeth Wallbillich of Frisco, TX; her great-grandsons Gabriel and Tristen Lucas of Carrollton, GA, Cameron Ball of Conroe, TX; Miles Ball-Hicks of Cincinnati, OH and her first great-granddaughter Celia Jasper of Cincinnati, OH. She will be missed by Jada her obedient, protective and loyal companion. Dottie will be deeply missed by numerous extended family members and friends.
Dottie loved to cook and entertain, play dominoes & bingo, gardening, genealogy, reading, watching educational TV, sewing and cross-stitching, but most of all Dottie loved spending time with her family, she was dedicated, generous and loving, she was their rock and foundation.
Relatives and friends of the family, members of the Westbank Genealogy Club, Terrytown GoldenAgers, German American Cultural Center, Jesters Social Club, South Central Bell, and BP/Amoco were invited to share in the celebration of her life service that was held on August 20, 2013 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 3245 Manhattan Blvd, Harvey, LA 70058. In lieu of flowers she has requested that donations be made to the Woman’s Auxiliary of St. Marks. May she rest in peace, in God’s name amen.