Martha Lou McCain Ballard

February 22, 1936 – April 23, 2019

Eupora, Mississippi

Martha Lou McCain Ballard, age 83, a former lifelong resident of Eupora, Mississippi and Choctaw County, and wife of the late Gunter Lee Ballard, Sr., departed this life on Tuesday morning, April 23, 2019 at The Gardens of Germantown located in Germantown, Tennessee.

Martha Lou, as she was known to her family and friends, was born February 22, 1936 at their large family farm in the Greensboro Community to John Frank and Fannie Mae Ross McCain. She received her education in the Eupora School District and was married to Gunter Lee Ballard, Sr. on January 16 , 1954. She and Gunter served in the Jaycees and Jaycettes in Eupora during the time when they sponsored Miss Eupora for the Miss Mississippi pageant. They enjoyed all the festivities surrounding the pageantry.

Although Martha Lou Ballard grew up in the Mount Vernon Baptist Church, she became an active member of the Methodist faith after marrying Gunter. After moving from Choctaw County and attending LaGrange Methodist Church, she came to Eupora Methodist Church in her later years. She was a devoted member of the Eupora First United Methodist Church where she served as president of the United Methodist Women for two years, was a regular member of her Sunday School Class, and an active member of the Chancel Choir. She also enjoyed participating with the Emmaus Community.

Being a very creative and industrious person, Martha Lou worked in numerous areas throughout her life. She operated the Green Stamp Redemption Store in Eupora, worked at Mersman Manufacturing Plant, operated a Personal Finance office in Eupora with Billy Joe Bowen, was a sales clerk at Murphy Drugs, and was a hostess at Wise Reed Funeral Home. She also served for twelve years in Choctaw County as a Justice of the Peace and served as a Eupora alderman for four years. Throughout each these enterprising positions she consistently worked as a seamstress and professionally made drapes for many homes in north Mississippi. Mrs. Ballard was a friend to all, loved her family dearly, and enjoyed life fully.

Mrs. Ballard is survived by four sons, Gunter Lee Ballard Jr. (Teresa) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, John Sydney Ballard (Nan) of Eupora, Mississippi, Frank Scott Ballard (Roxanne) of Winona, Mississippi, Christopher Clay Ballard (Robin) of Starkville, Mississippi; one daughter, Martha Carol Rhea (Robert) of Somerville, Tennessee; one brother, Jimmy McCain (Gladys) of Eupora, Mississippi; twenty grandchildren, Justin Lee Ballard (Rita), Wesley Ewing Ballard (Heidi), Richard Bishop, John Bishop, Jordan Townsend, Tanner Townsend, Jacob Dupre, Hunter Elizabeth Ballard, Keith Douglas Medders (Amanda), Jacob Scott Medders (Amber), Natalie Medders Trice (Andy), Jeremy Scott Ballard, Tyler Ross Ballard, Chandler Scott Rhea Stengel (Nick), Robert Howard Matthew Rhea, Jr., Caroline McCain Elizabeth Rhea, Dillon Jackson Ballard, Lana Joy Ballard, and Jena Christian Ballard; and twenty-two great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Paul McCain (Katherine) of Goodman, Mississippi.

Funeral services for Martha Lou McCain Ballard will be Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the Eupora First United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be at the church from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. Officiating the funeral will be Dr. Ron McDougald and Bro. Wayne Napier. Pallbearers are Justin Lee Ballard, Dillon Jackson Ballard, Matthew Rhea, Nick Stengel, Jim Smith, and Joe Hall. Wise Reed Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.