John Carlos (J. C.) Ballard

John Carlos (J. C.) Ballard, age 79, passed from this life Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at home surrounded by family. He was born December 13, 1929, at Roy, Arkansas, the son of James Luke and Mary Irene Tallant Ballard. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Murfreesboro. He was a former logger, worked as a drywall finisher and worked on the construction of Narrows Dam in the late 1940�s and early 1950�s. He retired from the Murfreesboro City Water Department as Superintendent in 1992, after thirty-three years of service. He was a member of the Murfreesboro Volunteer Fire Department and served as assistant fire chief. He was a member of the Cattlemen�s Association and raised registered horned herefords for several years. He was an active member of the Murfreesboro Riding Club and an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting and fishing. He especially enjoyed following his children and grandchildren in their many activities and sports over the years. He was preceded in death by his parents and step-father, James Ervin Chaney, one brother, James Edward Ballard and one brother-in law, Hall Price. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Georgia Skinner Ballard, one sister, Irene Ballard Price and brother, Minor Chaney and wife, Pat, all of Murfreesboro, and one sister-in-law, Atha Ballard of Texarkana; two sons and daughters-in-law, Nicky and Linda Ballard and Lonnie and Patricia Ballard, all of Murfreesboro; five granddaughters, Kelly Ballard of Texarkana, Lori and Jeremy Ross, Jessi and William Meakin, all of Arkadelphia, Toni and Matthew Humphry of Delight, and Sara and Justin Mitchell of Mena; one grandson, Cory Ballard of Murfreesboro; and three great-grandsons, Caleb and Cale Humphry and Cayden Ballard. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends. Services will be on Friday, October 9, 2009 at 10:00 A.M.at Latimer Funeral Chapel in Murfreesboro with Bob James officiating. Burial will follow at Murfreesboro Cemetery under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home of Murfreesboro. Visitation will be Thursday, from 6 to 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Christian Church or to the Pike County Hospice. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John (J. C.) Carlos Ballard please visit our Sympathy Store.