Obituary for Janie Ruth Ballard (Barron)
Janie Ruth Barron Ballard
February 14, 1952 – December 17, 2022
Eupora, Mississippi
Janie Ruth Barron Ballard, age 70, passed from this life on December 17th at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS, surrounded by her family. She was born on February 14, 1952, in Eupora, MS, to the late Lois Manasco Barron.
Jane attended school in Eupora from first grade until her graduation in 1970 making lifelong friends; Dianne Doler Mitchell, Karen Woods Tabb, and Fran Worthy Pittman. Upon graduation, Jane attended Holmes Community College majoring in business. She worked at Bank of Webster County until after its merger with Deposit Guaranty. From there she moved to the job of a lifetime as a secretary for Mississippi State Football. Jane loved this job, and the bulldogs, and loved going to work every day. She took care of not only coaches, but their families also. Many young men from players to graduate assistants to the “slappies” in the equipment room came to her for help with school work, snacks and meals, advice, or just a hug while they were away from their own mamas. Jane retired with 27 years of service to the University, having served four athletic directors: Larry Templeton, Greg Byrne, Scott Stricklin, and John Cohen. She also served for four head coaches; Rocky Felker, Jackie Sherrill, Sylvester Croom, and Dan Mullen. Bill Clay and the late Joe Lee Dunn were two of her absolute favorite defensive coordinators, and she had many assistant coaches whom she also adored.
As much as she loved her job at MSU, her pride and joy were her family and the role of Nana. She enjoyed following her grandsons, Grant and John Thomas, on the tennis courts and cross-country trails, watching her granddaughter, Olivia, cheer for the Eupora Eagles, and babysitting her granddaughter JoJo every afternoon after school. Jane was a kind, sweet, gentle soul who never met a stranger. She could light up a room with her smile, soothe your worries with a touch, and calm you with a kind word.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Tommy; daughters, Leslie Ballard Frank and Paige Ballard Waggoner (Kyle); sons, Chad Ballard and Devron Cheaton (Brittandy); four grandchildren, Grant, John Thomas, and Olivia Frank and Jozie Ballard; and two grandpups, Gunny and Sarge Waggoner.
Visitation will be Tuesday, December 20, 2022, from 5-7 p.m. and funeral services Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 2 p.m.. Pallbearers will be Chad Ballard, Devron Cheaton, Grant Frank, John Thomas Frank, Donny Mitchell, and Phil Silva. Wise Reed Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sapa Cemetery Fund, 13840 U.S. Hwy. 82, Eupora, Mississippi 39744.
February 14, 1952 – December 17, 2022
Eupora, Mississippi
Janie Ruth Barron Ballard, age 70, passed from this life on December 17th at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS, surrounded by her family. She was born on February 14, 1952, in Eupora, MS, to the late Lois Manasco Barron.
Jane attended school in Eupora from first grade until her graduation in 1970 making lifelong friends; Dianne Doler Mitchell, Karen Woods Tabb, and Fran Worthy Pittman. Upon graduation, Jane attended Holmes Community College majoring in business. She worked at Bank of Webster County until after its merger with Deposit Guaranty. From there she moved to the job of a lifetime as a secretary for Mississippi State Football. Jane loved this job, and the bulldogs, and loved going to work every day. She took care of not only coaches, but their families also. Many young men from players to graduate assistants to the “slappies” in the equipment room came to her for help with school work, snacks and meals, advice, or just a hug while they were away from their own mamas. Jane retired with 27 years of service to the University, having served four athletic directors: Larry Templeton, Greg Byrne, Scott Stricklin, and John Cohen. She also served for four head coaches; Rocky Felker, Jackie Sherrill, Sylvester Croom, and Dan Mullen. Bill Clay and the late Joe Lee Dunn were two of her absolute favorite defensive coordinators, and she had many assistant coaches whom she also adored.
As much as she loved her job at MSU, her pride and joy were her family and the role of Nana. She enjoyed following her grandsons, Grant and John Thomas, on the tennis courts and cross-country trails, watching her granddaughter, Olivia, cheer for the Eupora Eagles, and babysitting her granddaughter JoJo every afternoon after school. Jane was a kind, sweet, gentle soul who never met a stranger. She could light up a room with her smile, soothe your worries with a touch, and calm you with a kind word.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Tommy; daughters, Leslie Ballard Frank and Paige Ballard Waggoner (Kyle); sons, Chad Ballard and Devron Cheaton (Brittandy); four grandchildren, Grant, John Thomas, and Olivia Frank and Jozie Ballard; and two grandpups, Gunny and Sarge Waggoner.
Visitation will be Tuesday, December 20, 2022, from 5-7 p.m. and funeral services Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 2 p.m.. Pallbearers will be Chad Ballard, Devron Cheaton, Grant Frank, John Thomas Frank, Donny Mitchell, and Phil Silva. Wise Reed Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sapa Cemetery Fund, 13840 U.S. Hwy. 82, Eupora, Mississippi 39744.