Obituary of Rebecca Ball Rust

AIKEN, SC-- Rebecca Ball Rust, 89, of Aiken, passed away April 27, 2018.  She was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, and was the daughter of the late Richard Griffin Ball and Iola Stelle Ball.  She graduated from Hugh Morson High School in Raleigh, and received her degree from Duke University.  She was the founder of the North Carolina Haiku Society, and a past President of the North Carolina Poetry Society.  Rebecca acted as a judge for many poetry contests, once serving as National Chairman of the Carl Sandburg Centennial Poetry Contest.

As the author of four books and a lecturer, her prose and poetry appeared in numerous literary journals, anthologies, periodicals, as well as on radio and television.  Her expertise was Haiku, and her works in the genre were well known, published even in Japan.  She was a member of the original North Carolina State Ballet Company, and was a dance critic for the Raleigh News and Observer.

Surviving are her son, Richard H. Rustad (Barbara) of Aiken, granddaughters Elizabeth, Vera, and Julia of Aiken, and numerous cousins across the country.

A memorial service will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 10, 2018 in The Chapel of The Holy Apostles at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, Aiken, SC with Father Grant Wiseman as celebrant. Final prayers and commendation will be in The Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh, NC on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 10 AM with the Rev. Mary Davila officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Animal Shelter (www.fotasaiken.org).
 

The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com