Thomas Houston Ballard, 76, passed away peacefully, Saturday, February 23, 2019, at his home in the Egypt Community. He was born in Okolona, MS, on June 3, 1942 to Merideth Ballard and Lottie Pope Ballard. Tom was a graduate of Aberdeen High school and attended Mississippi State university. In his early career years, he worked as an auditor for Commercial Credit and traveled the southern states. He later opened his own successful real estate business called Ballard Reality. He was able to retire at a very early age, and truly enjoyed every day on his beloved family farm. He was a member of Word of Life Church.
Tom and his wife, Norma, loved to travel, cruising the Caribbean and touring almost every island. He enjoyed spending his earlier years on his boat on the waterway. Tom loved football games and faithfully followed Mississippi State (of course), the New Orleans Saints, and the Dallas Cowboys.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Norma Allen Ballard; one son, Thomas Scott Ballard of Alaska; one stepson, Anthony Chandler (Kristen) of New Albany; one daughter, Denise Ballard Fanning (Brandon) of Madison; three granddaughters, Sabrina Ballard, Laken Chandler, and Kariana Chandler; two grandsons, Ben Ballard and Zackery Ballard. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Merideth Ballard and Lottie Ballard.
A celebration of life service will be at 4 PM, Wednesday, February 27, 2019 in the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. Tommy Galloway officiating assisted by Bro. Dean Allen. There will be no graveside service. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 PM to service time only.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Arthur Brown, Tom Seymer, Pat Birkholtz, H.D. Allen, Randy Smith, Sonny Long, Wayne Pope, and Murphy Evans.
Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences to the family may be posted at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.