Mary Beth Ballew

MARY BETH BALLEW, 91, of Little Rock died Sept. 11, 2014. She was born in Jonesboro, Ark. on July 21, 1923 to Cecil and Tessie Childs. She was educated in Jonesboro schools until her senior year, when she attended and graduated from Los Angeles High School in California. She moved back to Jonesboro to attend Arkansas State University. She married Rudolph Richard Ballew on Nov. 30, 1945 in Jonesboro. Dick and Mary Beth lived most of their married life in North Little Rock, raising their three children there. Dick remained her adoring husband for over 63 years until his death March 8, 2009. They spent some of their retirement years with family in Anchorage, Alaska and Wichita, Kan., before returning to Arkansas. They were life-long members of Gardner Memorial United Methodist Church in North Little Rock. Our lives have all been so completely enriched and blessed by having known her as our Mother, Mentor and Friend. Her willingness to tackle life's challenges with optimism and inner strength set an impressive example for those close to her. Through her daily prayer life, she found great support and solace in her faith in God. She taught us all the finest human values by how she lived her life, as a faithful Christian with love, compassion, strength and courage. These were the mottos by which she lived her life: "Hold your head up high. Look to God and the stars. Do your best. Never, never give up." After her children were grown, Mary Beth re-entered the workforce with North Little Rock City Services Model Cities Program. Following this, she spent 15 years as a manager in the North Little Rock Housing Authority. She mentored many young women and was always ready to lend a listening ear. She loved to laugh at a good story; cheer on the Dallas Cowboys, Razorbacks, Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder, and she really enjoyed a good Mexican restaurant. Always an avid reader, she kept up with breaking world news through television, newspapers and lively discussions. Friends often sought her sage wisdom and practical advice. Mary Beth exuded love through her gorgeous, bright blue eyes and beautiful smile. When asked recently to comment on what value is most important in life, without hesitation she answered, "Love is the most important thing in this life." She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Dick; son, Blake; son-in-law, Kenny Taylor and only sibling, Ralph Childs. Remaining to cherish her memory are her two beloved daughters, Anne Taylor of Little Rock and Peggy Jacobsen (Jake) of Fredericksburg, Va.; grandsons, James R. McNeill (Marji) and Benjamin Jacobsen; granddaughter, Elizabeth Jacobsen and great-grandson, Christopher McNeill. The memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, 2014 at Gardner Memorial United Methodist Church, 1723 Schaer Street, North Little Rock, AR 72114, (501)374-9520. Interment will be private. Arrangements are with Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR 72211, (501)224-8300. Memorials may be made to Gardner Memorial United Methodist Church. Her online guestbook may be signed at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.