John Cecil Ballard

John Cecil Ballard, resident of the Somerville Community, United States Army Veteran and husband of Pauline "Polly" Ballard departed this life Thursday morning, July 18, 2013 at Whiteville. He was 86 years of age and died following a brief illness.

Services of Remembrance with Military Honors for Mr. Ballard were conducted at 2 P.M. Saturday, July 20th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Dr. John Simpson of Memphis officiating. He was assisted by Chris Coil of the Somerville Church of Christ. Interment followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center — West Chapel at Oakland.

Mr. Ballard was born September 18, 1926 in Dumas, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents, John William Ballard and Huldah Jane Heavner Ballard. He served his country as a young person with the United States Army in Germany during the World War II period. He was married December 20, 1946 to the former Pauline “Polly” Beasley, who survives.

Mr. Ballard was a resident of Memphis for many years where he served as president and owner of the Ballard Door Company for over 50 years before his retirement. Mr. Ballard’s company was one of the first garage door companies in the Memphis area and he was well-known for his honesty and integrity and the company continues to be in operation today.

He and Mrs. Ballard had been residents of the Somerville Community for the past eight years. A devoted and longtime member of the Church of Christ, Mr. Ballard had served in numerous leadership positions that included serving as a deacon and elder of churches in Shelby County. He was a member of the Somerville Church of Christ at the time of his death.

An outgoing person who enjoyed people, Mr. Ballard had a great love for his family, his church, his community and his many friends. He remained active throughout his life and he and his family enjoyed vacationing in many places as long as health permitted.

In addition to his wife of 66 years, Mr. Ballard is survived by two daughters, Brenda Tutor (Jesse) of Hickory Withe, Sandra Hinkson (Gaylon) of the Mt. Moriah Community at Whiteville; seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Eugene Ballard, Jerry Ballard, Kenneth Ballard, Marvin Beasley, James Miller and Jonathan Tutor.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.