Joyce Ellen (Mullinax) Ballard, 93, of Bryan, TX, formerly of Victoria, TX, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 23, 2024. Joyce was a devout Christian and a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She lived a full and joyous life and touched the lives of many people along the way.
Born on November 13, 1931 in Olney, TX, Joyce, or Memaw as many would come to call her, was 1 of 4 children born to J.P. (Paul) and Alice Mae (Hankins) Mullinax. She grew up in Olney, TX and chose to stay there to marry the love of her life, Don Ballard on July 2, 1949. Joyce and Don settled into married life and started a family, having 2 daughters, Linda and Cindy. After several years in Olney, then Henrietta and Corpus Christi; the family ultimately settled in Victoria. When the girls were nearly done with school, Joyce opted to get into the workforce where she worked for United Gas Pipeline Co. in Victoria until she retired in 1991.
Joyce was a woman of extraordinary faith. She served her Lord patiently and faithfully. Joyce and Don were members of Baptist Temple Church in Victoria for several decades until she moved to Bryan and became a member of First Baptist Church – Bryan. She served as Sunday School teacher at Baptist Temple for all of her grandchildren. Joyce also served as church librarian and loved creating wonderful bulletin boards for the library with the help of her adoring and faithful assistant, Don.
Joyce and Don loved to travel and in retirement were fortunate to see so many beautiful places, including Alaska, San Francisco, New York and even Europe. She said Germany was one of her favorite memories and felt incredibly blessed to be able to travel there to see it. Joyce loved entertaining and was the ultimate southern hostess. She especially loved hosting bridge club for all of her friends. Sunday lunches after church with family were a staple and her legendary homemade fried chicken was her most requested dish. That Italian creme cake of hers was pretty famous at the church auctions too. Always the fashionista, Joyce enjoyed searching for her next perfect outfit even in her last days. She loved beautiful jewelry and shoes to complement her outfits and radiant smile and even made sure Don looked just as good by her side. Joyce and Don enjoyed over 60 years of marriage until his passing in 2010.
Joyce is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Don A. Ballard of Victoria; daughter, Linda Chamrad Powell of Victoria; parents, Paul and Alice Mae (Hankins) Mullinax of Olney; and sister, Mary Gray of Olney.
She is survived by her siblings, Fred Mullinax and Norma Walker of Wichita Falls along with her adoring daughter, Cindy Sewell and her husband, Jack Sewell of Bryan; 6 grandchildren: Joey Ganem and his wife, Alberta of College Station, Greg Ganem and his wife, Marisa of Kingwood, Melissa (Knoblock) James and her husband, Reuben of Buda, Stacy (Chamrad) Berrones and her husband, Richard of Dallas, Alex Sewell and his wife, Gisella of College Station, and Kristi Sewell of Georgia; and 8 great grandchildren: Cody Ganem, Ian Ganem, Audrey Cunningham, Luke Ganem, Chris James, Allen James, Mariella Sewell and Gabriella Sewell.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 2, 2024 from 5-7pm at Colonial Funeral Home. The family is holding services to celebrate Joyce’s life on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 10am at Colonial Funeral Home, 1801 E Red River St. in Victoria. Joyce will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Don at Memorial Park Cemetery in Victoria. Serving as pallbearers are Joey Ganem, Greg Ganem, Reuben James, Richie Berrones, Alex Sewell, Cody Ganem, Ian Ganem, Luke Ganem, Chris James and Allen James.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joyce's memory may be made to Alzheimer's Association.
Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com.
