of Conway, AR
September 16, 1928 - January 17, 2022
Joan B. (Parks) Ballard, 93, of Conway, Arkansas went to be with the Lord on January 17, 2022. Joan was born in Champaign, Illinois to the late Freeman and Margaret Parks. She is joining her true love, her late husband Sidney B. Ballard.
Joan attended Texas A & M and Trinity College. At first, she worked as a telephone operator for the Bell Telephone Company. Once she found the love of her life in a Texan, Sid Ballard, the Midwest girl became a Texan too. They built a full life traveling the world and contributing to the San Antonio community. She worked for the Department of the Defense (Air Force) for thirty-two years and received too many commendations to list. She had a brilliant mind and used it for her work in various fields including air-traffic control. As a young girl, she had dreamed of becoming a stewardess but her 5-foot stature prevented it. Years later, she joked that she ended up ordering the pilots around from outside the plane rather than inside the plane. She loved our country and proudly served in the Women's Civil Defense Core during WWII.
Following her retirement, Joan started a second career as a volunteer. She was a docent with the Texas Institute of Texan Cultures for 31 years. She spent 31 years doing taxes for retirees and received the Jan Cooper Award from AARP in 2011 at the age of 82. She was a faithful volunteer at her local library and was Past President of the Santa Rosa Hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church in San Antonio for over 50 years and later a member of St. Joseph's Church in Conway, Arkansas. She was a strong woman who was much beloved.
Joan is preceded in death by her sisters, Doris and Marianne, and her brothers, Frank and Willis. Joan is also survived by her sister-in-law, Helga Parks, along with many nieces and nephews including Michelle (Ricky) Middleton; Michael (Rhonda) Wood; Thomas (Shauna) Wood; Raymond (Tacy) Parks; and Cheryl Cain. She was also particularly close to her Arkansas great-nieces and great-nephews: Chris (Elizabeth) Middleton; Nicole (Sherman) House; Ashley (Chance) Packard; Brittney Wood; Kyle (Caitlin) Kennedy; Sean Wood; Matthew Wood; and Kaylee (Logan) Burks.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30a.m. on January 19, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway. Interment will be at a later date at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Family asks that instead of flowers, please consider donating to the church or a charity in her memory.
Online guestbook available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway
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6 Condolence(s)
John E White Jr
Thursday, August 18, 2022
I remember all the times in Danville for family gatherings. Great times.
I did know most of her history as my sister
Jo Ann kept me informed. I know she will rest in peace.
Jo Ann (White) Marshall
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
So sorry to learn of Joan’s passing. She was a distant relative I felt very close to. My father, John White, was Joan’s direct cousin, my Great Aunt Margaret was Joan’s mother.
I was a young Army nurse sent to San Antonio for 6 weeks basic course and Joan and Syd took me under their wings. I saw Joan (and Syd) many times on other Army trips to San Antonio, showing me all around San Antonio and the culture museum there.
I was sad when she moved to Conway, but very happy she and Maryanne could share senior life in Conway. Yes, she was a great pinochle player, as all my “White†family were, my grandmother Agnes White, her sister Margaret and Freeman Parks.
My Aunt Rita passed August 9th and going through old photos I found pictures of Joan and the Parks family relatives may want. Please text me or email to reach me for them.
Text: 4789721716.
So sorry for your loss.
Sue Sewell
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Joan will surely be missed. She was a great Pinochle player and we played together for years.
Jennifer & Sean Sammons
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Aunt Joan, but simultaneously rejoicing that she is reunited with her other loved ones and Jesus in heaven. May the peace of Christ bring you all comfort.
Lameta McMillen
Monday, January 17, 2022
I have know Joan since before she moved to Conway, she would stop by our clinic to visit Dr. Wood with his mom when they would travel to Arkansas. she was such a sweet lady, I have always called her Aunt Joan and felt like she was part of my family. I know she loved her family and will be missed, praying for everyone during this sad time
joyce pernell
Monday, January 17, 2022
I took of Mrs BALLARD while she lived in college Square assist living.my thoughts and prayers for the family.