On March 8, 1934, in Ft. Gibson, OK; Lawrence and Helen Hamilton were blessed with a new addition to their family. This precious baby girl was the first of five children. They named her Betty Jo. At a very young age she professed a hope in Christ under the pastoral care of Rev. Roberts and was baptized in a pond at Jerusalem Baptist Church, Muskogee, OK.

Betty attended Jerusalem Elementary, Dunbar Elementary and graduated from historical Manual Training High School with the Class of 1952.

In her early adult days she worked as a nurse aide for Muskogee General Hospital. Later she became a Pharmaceutical Technician at Muskogee Regional Medical Center. After retiring from there she worked as a cashier at Walmart in Muskogee, OK.

On August 27, 1953 she was married to Joseph J. H. Ballard. From this union, six children were born. She was a good wife, loving mother, a genuinely kind and loving person who did whatever she could for her family, church, friends and co-workers.

Soon after marrying, she moved her church membership to Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, where she held many positions: Junior Mission President, Young Matrons Mission Group and was an outstanding teacher. She taught the teenage class and adult Sunday school for many years. Betty never missed Sunday school or Wednesday night Bible Study. She was energetic until her health began to fail. In addition to teaching, she was the church Financial Clerk and Secretary. Betty made sure everything had its proper place. Her favorite saying was, "Keep it in decency and in order." Sister Ballard traveled to the local district, state and national conventions gathering materials and bringing it back to share with others.

Betty volunteered her services and time with God's Desire Learning Center and donated items she thought the daycare children needed.

Betty Jo Ballard, after 81 seasons, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, October 19, 2015 at Eastgate Village Healthcare Center, Muskogee, OK.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Rev. Joseph Ballard, Sr., son, Lawrence E. Ballard, brother, Clifford Hamilton, and sisters, Julietta Hamilton and Casey Rhodes.

She leaves in God's care, one daughter, Carolyn (Volna) Bowens, four sons, Joseph Ballard, Jr, Phillip Ballard, Reuben (Ellishea) Ballard, all of Muskogee, OK; Stephen (Monice) Ballard, Tulsa, OK; one daughter-in-law, Margaret Ballard, Edmond, OK; one sister, Lee Alice Riley, Topeka, KS; a special cousin, M. Lorayne Douglass, Los Angeles, CA; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, the Greater Shiloh Church family and other relatives and friends.

A Home Going Celebration will be observed, Saturday, October 24, 2015
at 11:00 a.m. in Greater Shiloh Baptist Church, 701 Altamont, Muskogee, OK; with Pastor Vanzelen Brown, delivering the eulogy.

Interment will be Monday, October 26, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in Ft Gibson National Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

The family has been cared for by Granger-House of Winn.