Marianne Ballard

Marianne Ballard, 91, of Jacksonville, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2016. She is preceded in death by her husband, James T. Ballard. Marianne is survived by her son, James T. Ballard, Jr. of Mansfield, Texas, her daughter, Karen Ballard Deen and her husband, Greg of Jacksonville, Arkansas, and her granddaughter Erika Deen Zoeller and her husband, Noel of Woodland Hills, California. Marianne was born on February 23, 1925 in Beaumont, Texas to Anthony and Pauline Maida. She graduated from St. Anthony's High School in Beaumont in 1943. She went on to attend the University of Texas (UT) in Austin where she earned a degree in Business Administration in 1947. In 1945 Marianne met the love of her life when he returned from the Pacific Theater after four years of service in the Army during World War II. They enjoyed jitterbug dancing to their favorite Frank Sinatra songs and Big Band Era music and were married in 1947. The couple then returned to Beaumont where they soon welcomed a daughter and son to their family. Marianne's children remember her as a loving mother who always encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams. Marianne enjoyed her role as wife, mother and homemaker. She was very involved in supporting her daughter's activities such as dance and violin lessons as well as her son's adventures in baseball, swimming, band, and art lessons. In their later years she and Jim travelled the country researching the family history and unearthing unknown ancestors! After Jim's death, Marianne enjoyed reading novels, visiting with friends at her church, seeing the Arkansas countryside, and watching Karen and Greg's poodles romp in the yard and bark enthusiastically at squirrels, rabbits, and other strangers. A visitation is planned for Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Jude's Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Arkansas. The funeral is scheduled for Friday, April 22, 2016 at 10:00 at St. Jude's followed by a graveside service at Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Jacksonville. Father Andy Smith will officiate the ceremony. Please join the family in celebrating Marianne's long and meaningful life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Arkansas Hospice. Condolences may be sent by signing the guest book on Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home's website (www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com).