Joyce "Merlene" Ballance

Joyce “Merlene” Ballance, 90, passed away on January 24, 2024. Born on November 3, 1933 in Pine Level, North Carolina to the late William and Jennie Wiggs Daughtry. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, admired by all. Merlene was happily married to her husband, Selby, for 57 years until his passing in 2011. Besides her husband, she was also preceded in death by her siblings Jean Allen and Billy Daughtry.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her sons, Ricky Ballance and Jeff (Laura) Ballance; daughter, Mary Ellen Maloney ; grandchildren, Jeffrey, Yale, Keith (Heather), Kendal Rose (Drew), Matthew and George; great-granddaughter Tatum, siblings Tommy Daughtry ; and a host of family and friends.

Merlene worked as a cafeteria cashier at Bayside Junior High. Besides spoiling her grandchildren, she also enjoyed gardening, playing cards with friends, and watching her grandchildren participate in their different sporting events and activities. She was also an avid Virginia Tech fan. Merlene was a member of Thalia Lynn Baptist Church.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 2:00 at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, 6309 E. Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Thalia Lynn Baptist Church, 4392 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach Virginia 23462.