Roosevelt LaRue Ballard

Roosevelt Ballard, Sr., 91, a veteran of World War II and native Houstonian died on November 4, 2017. Roosevelt Ballard, Sr was born to Minerva Frisco and Hershey Ballard on July 16, 1926. He resided in Houston, TX all his life, but had a host of relatives in Louisiana. He accepted Christ at an early age and continued to lean on the Lord’s prayer through every trial that he faced. The physical body succumbed to dementia and its side effects, but his soul live forever in the arms of the Lord. He walked with God until he was no more. He graduated from Jack Yates high school. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was honorably discharged. He had a beautiful tenor voice and sang in the choral groups at Jack Yates and Texas Southern University. He left Texas Southern University to begin employment with Armco Steel Company. He worked there for 32 years until the steel plant closed and he retired. He was also a licensed barber. He served faithfully as a family man. He united with Helen Ruth Falls and from their marriage had two children, Linda Christine and Roosevelt LaRue Jr. Although his job rotated him on shift work, He attended every program, celebrated every victory, played family games, and provided words of wisdom. He was an avid reader and could spend hours on end reading a good novel. Roosevelt had a quick wit and his yes was a “yes” and no was a “no.” He loved family, friends and fun. Relating to people of all ages, he never met a stranger. There was no generational gap with him. He could relate to everyone whether they were two, twenty-two or one-hundred and two. Roosevelt was preceded in death by his wife Helen Ballard. He is survived by his son Roosevelt Ballard, Jr. (wife Carol) and daughter, Linda Ballard. Five grandchildren (Alexandria Ballard-Demming, Marcus Ballard, Tevin Ballard, Marliezia (husband, Bruce Sr.) Maroney and Dante Harmon), and four great grandchildren (Jordan Maroney, Bruce Maroney Jr., Ethan Maroney and Collin Maroney)