Obituary

 James Mason Ballard, Sr.

June 21, 1931 - March 4, 2025

James Mason Ballard, Sr., was called home on March 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, after a long and joyful life filled with happiness, love, and service to others.

Born on June 21, 1931, in Monroe, Louisiana, to Martha Ballard and Henry Anderson; James was also the grandson of William “Nat” Ballard and Martha Brice Ballard.

James grew up in Monroe, Louisiana, where he attended Little Flower Catholic Elementary and High School. Immediately following high school, James joined the United States Navy and was assigned to the destroyer, USS Agerholm (DD-826), based out of San Diego, CA. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, James matriculated at Southern University and A&M College-Baton Rouge and received his B.S. in Education. He met and fell in love with his college sweetheart, Ruby Nelle Harrison from Franklinton, LA, during his time at Southern University. They married on February 22, 1959, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Franklinton, where they established their family home.

James began his teaching career at Allen High School in Oakdale, Louisiana, and went on to teach at Vernon High School and later Pine High School, where he eventually retired in 1995 after 31 years of dedicated service as an educator.

During his early years, James attended Little Flower Catholic Church in Monroe and eventually dedicated his service as a parishioner to Holy Family Catholic Church in Franklinton. He was a well-known fixture at Holy Family, serving in various ministries. In honor of his service to the church, James was inducted into the Order of St. Louis IX in 2003.

James was a founding member of the Rural Franklinton Water Corporation Board; a member of the Franklinton area chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP); the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association and the National Association of Educators. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus (4th Degree) and the American Legion.

James leaves behind a loving family that includes his wife Ruby Nelle Harrison Ballard; children: James Ballard, Jr., Dr. Portia Ballard Espy (Mike), Kevin Ballard (Kimberly), and Deidra Ballard-Moore; grandchildren: Kodi Ballard, Nya Moore, Ian Espy, Kevin J. Ballard (Piperjean), Myles Moore; great-grandchildren: Parker Dawson, Julian Dawson, and Juniper Ballard; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Martha Ballard; his father, Henry Anderson; and sisters, Ester Lee Hollis and Zerline Johnson.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025 from 4:00PM – 7:00PM at Sweet Home Church of Christ Holiness USA.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 8:00AM – 12:45PM followed by a funeral mass at 1:00PM at Holy Family Catholic Church 1220 14th Avenue with Father Pedro – Officiating. Interment – Sweet Home Cemetery. Crain and Sons Funeral Home in Franklinton are in charge of arrangements.