Emerson Grace Ball Obituary (2020 - 2024)

Emerson Grace Ball, age 4, of Morgantown, gained her angel wings unexpectedly on Friday morning, August 16, 2024 at WVU Medicine -Children's in Morgantown. Emerson was born on June 30, 2020 in Morgantown, a daughter of Andrew Shane and Lacey Leandra Sanetta Ball. In addition to her parents, Emerson is survived by her paternal grandparents Daniel and Leona Ball of Philippi, WV; maternal grandparents, Debra Knepper and her husband Paul of Darlington, PA and Rudolph Sanetta, Jr. and his wife Terri of Elizabeth, PA; her aunts and uncles Benjamin Ball and his wife Christina, Shanna Bridge, Jennifer Brown and her husband Justin, Robert Sanetta, Shane Martin and his wife Samantha, Jessie Snyder and her husband Jonathan, Jeremy Crowther, Kimberly Lorenzi and her husband Ryan, and Kevin Dewar; as well as many cousins and other extended family members and friends. Awaiting her in Heaven were her paternal great-grandparents Harold and Martha Ball and Roy and Lorena Carson, and her maternal great-grandparents Ronald and Lois Dewar and Rudolph, Sr. and Pearl Sanetta. Emerson was simply pure sunshine - a light in the eyes of everyone she knew. She loved all things Disney, puzzles, books, great snuggles, and animals. She was witty and funny, loved to sing, dance and dress up like the princess that she was. Although Emerson's life was short by what we would normally expect, she exuded a gorgeous energy about her and made an impact on everyone she met. She faced many challenges with her communication and speech, but she made constant and significant strides with it through her therapy and accomplished many goals along the way. Despite her speech delay, her parents want to share her last words to them in the hope that it would bring peace to someone else who may need it. These words are from a song she loved from Daniel Tiger: "When something seems bad, turn it around, and find something good." The family wishes to send their sincere appreciation and thanks to her therapists Kristen Messenger, Megan Darrah, Lori Good, and Kim Baughman for helping her with her development and achieving her goals; to the PICU team at WVU Children's for the constant love, care and support to the family, and for never leaving Emerson's side; and to Alexa Perry, her ER nurse who took care of Emerson upon her arrival at the hospital, as well as Dr. Bryce Harvey for all of his efforts. Friends may join the family to honor Emerson's life and legacy at Smith Funeral & Cremation Care, 108 Holland Ave., Westover / Morgantown on Wednesday, August 21st from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm and on Thursday, August 22nd from 10:00 am until the time of her funeral service at 11:00 am. Following the funeral service and at her parent's request, Emerson will be cremated. Flowers are welcomed at the funeral home. However, contributions in Emerson's name may be made to Autism Pittsburgh at austimspittsburgh,org. Messages of comfort and other symbolic gestures may be offered to the family at www.smithfcc.com.