Anne Clark Ballard

Anne Clark Ballard, 68, left this world on Friday, November 10, 2023. Her visitation will be held at Lakewood Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with services in the funeral home chapel from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park.

Anne was born on June 12, 1955, in Jackson, MS to the late Ethol and Grace Smith Clark. She graduated from Clinton High School in the class of 1972. On May 27, 1972, Anne married her soul mate Kenneth Ray Ballard. The Marine Corp stationed them in Hawaii, where they spent their first years of marriage on the island of Oahu. In 1976, they settled in Jackson, MS where they had their first son, Anson, who was followed by their second son Jayson, in the summer of 1977.

Anne was happiest in life when traveling with her family and friends, to beaches and NASCAR races. She often planned her family vacations to include her brother Harry and his family. She was known to put on make-up to go fishing, which led to her catching more than her boys. While working full-time, raising two boys, she decided to take night classes to earn her college degree in the early 1990’s. Anne retired after working for 35 years for BWI of Jackson as an Office Manager.

She found joy in tracing her family’s genealogy, all things flowers, taking her mother Grace on road trips, singing Jimmy Buffett songs on weekend trips with her husband Kenny, and spoiling her favorite cat, Harley. Anne was a ballerina, a college graduate, a Parrot Head singing force of nature. She was fierce, fiery, and faithful. She was a devoted wife, protective mother, loving sister, beloved grandmother, doting great-grandmother, favorite Aunt, loyal friend, and Mama Anne to all.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ethol and Grace Smith Clark, and her brother Harry Levon Clark.

Anne is survived by her husband and soul mate of 51 years, Kenneth Ray Ballard. sons, Kenneth Anson Ballard (Brandy) of Collinsville, MS, and Jayson Ray Ballard (Stephanie) of Hattiesburg, MS. grandchildren, Gavyn Ballard, Brandon Ballard, Olivia Grace Ballard, Sawyer Ballard, Rylen Ray Ballard, Sarah McCoy, Allison McCoy, Jenna McCoy; great-grandson, Jayden Ballard; brother William Harrell Clark (Linda) of Moss Point, MS; best friends, Sandy Anda, Paulette Horne & Carolyn McCurdy; nephews, Ronnie Ballard, Cody Ballard, Keith Myles, David Clark, Billy Clark, Alan Bowker, Tony Clark, Adrian Clark & Zachary Clark; nieces Rosemarie Leger, Maria Justice, JoJo McCarthy, Melissa Stringer, and Kessie Key. She also had numerous great nieces and nephews which she adored.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lakewoodfuneraljackson.com for the Ballard family.