Nancy Lou Hall Ballard went home to be with the Lord on September 27, 2026 at the age of 87. We remember her as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

Nancy, the eldest daughter of Charles Graham Hall and Helen Farr Hall, grew up in Franklin, Pennsylvania, raised her family in Vicksburg, MS, and later resided in Franklin, Tennessee until her passing.

Nancy played piano in a high school sock hop band called “The Four Cats and the Kitten.” She was “the Kitten.” After high school, she completed secretarial school and worked for The Joint Chiefs of Staff at The Pentagon. She met the love of her life, James “Jim” Thomas Ballard, in Washington DC, where he worked with the Army Corps of Engineers. Jim was sent to Korea for postwar reconstruction, and he and Nancy wrote letters getting to know each other. When Jim returned, he received orders to work for the Army Corp of Engineers in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He proposed to Nancy, and two weeks later, they married. Within six years, Nancy had four children, staying at home until all were school-aged. She worked as a secretary at First Baptist Church for years, subsequently working for the Army Corp of Engineers. Additionally, Nancy wrote many cookbooks and a child rearing book, formed her own wedding catering company, was the driver and photographer on many travel adventures, and served as girl scout leader. She crocheted all of her life and blessed others with her thousands of afghans.

Affectionately known as “Mimi” or “Nan” to her 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, Nancy presented a humble and caring spirit to all. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Charles and Helen Hall, her husband of 53 years, James Thomas Ballard, and grandson, John David Ballard. She is survived by her sisters, Patricia Gilmore and Linda Hopson, her children, Nanette Alethia Ballard, John Thomas (Cathy) Ballard, Barbara Ballard (Jay) Cooper, and James Charles (Paulette) Ballard.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 2PM on November 27, 2026 at Conway Baptist Church, 4323 LA-549, Farmerville, LA 71241. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Conway Baptist Church, P.O. Box 454 Farmerville, LA 71241, or to First Baptist Church, 1607 Cherry Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180.