Loretta Ballard

Loretta Hensley Ballard, 79, former resident of Jackson, Tennessee, died Friday, February 16, 2024 at Life Care Center of Columbia.

Graveside services will be conducted Friday, February 23, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Ridgecrest Cemetery in Jackson, Tennessee with Will Norrid officiating.  The family will visit with friends Thursday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.

She was a native of Trenton, Tennessee and the daughter of the late Herman Hensley and the late Elsie Westbrooks Hensley.  Mrs. Ballard graduated from high school in Detroit, Michigan and also from Freed Hardeman College where she received her Associate Degree in Business Administration.   She married Edward Lee Ballard on March 25, 1966 and he preceded her in death on April 21, 2013.  Mrs. Ballard was an excellent seamstress and before retiring worked as an x-ray technician in Jackson for five years.  She was a member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include her children, Lori Shelton (Jerrod) of Alamo, TN, Scott Ballard (Malaika) and Jerry Ballard (Christa) both of Columbia; seven grandchildren, Luke Shelton, Max Ballard, Molly Shelton, Abby Ballard, Ally Ballard, Jake Ballard, and Annie Ballard.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Joyce White.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of The Bridge and Life Care Center of Columbia for the care provided for their mother for the past five years where she had made her home.