Michael Elliott Ballard, 74, died Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at Sanctuary Hospice in Tupelo.
He was born in Tupelo on July 13, 1950. He was the son of Wilna Elliot and William Austin Ballard. He was the light of their lives. His grandparents were John and Lucille Clayton Elliot, and G.C. and Erin Austin Ballard. He was brought up in First Christian Church of Tupelo where he received Jesus.
Mike loved the Mount Vernon and Joyner areas where he played ball with the Joyner boys where much mischief and fun was had. A special longtime friendship with Scott Tallant was nurtured there and they became brothers of different mothers.
He attended Joyner, Milam, and Tupelo High School. After a brief enrollment at Ole Miss, that he hated to admit to, he went on to graduate from Mississippi State University. He started working at Rockwell when he was 15 and from there to Northern Electric Company.
With his first wife, Susan Williams, he had two sons John Michael Ballard and the late William Bradley Ballard.
He met the love of his life, Cathy Walker, in Laurel and they were married in August of 1977. They have a daughter, Kelly Ballard.
Mike had wander lust and moved all over the south. In 1994, he found out he was going to be a grandfather lovingly known as “Day Day”. He and Cathy moved back to Tupelo where he worked for Day-Brite and Hunter Douglas. In 1998, they moved to Saltillo where they built their retirement home. He informed Cathy the only way they would move out was in a wooden box. His grandsons are Caleb Ryan, Chase Garrett, Devin, James Gavin, and Taylor Michael Ballard.
Mike loved dabbling in junk, music and sports.
All families have problems, but one thing needs to be made clear, he loved all his children and grandchildren. He wasn’t given the opportunity to show that love due to circumstances and human errors, but when all are reunited, what a reunion there will be! For in our heavenly home, we will not battle flesh and blood. I cannot wait for the “blink of an eye” where we will all be together in God’s perfect love.
Visitation will be 3:30 p.m. until service time Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Pegues, Saltillo.
Services honoring Mike’s life will be 4:30 p.m. Saturday, August 17, 2024, at the Saltillo Chapel of Pegues with Rev Jay Stanley officiating and eulogies by Mike’s dearest friend, Scott Tallant, and his son, John Michael Ballard.
Memorials may be made to the FILM Ballard Project in care of CREATE Foundation, PO Box 1053, Tupelo, MS 38802.
