Ilda Ballard Jones

ILDA BALLARD JONES Tupelo - Ilda Ballard Jones, 80, loving daughter, sister, wife and mother, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at North Mississippi Medical Center after an extended illness. The eldest of six children, Ilda was born in Purvis, Mississippi, where she participated in the life of the family's working farm. After graduating from Forrest County Agricultural High School, Ilda left home at age 18 to attend Jackson Commercial College. After obtaining her Combined Business degree, Ilda went to work as Administrative Assistant to the State Treasurer of Mississippi. Ilda met Tom Ballard,a graduate of Millsaps College, in 1960. The couple married in 1961 and settled in Jackson. Ilda left the workforce to raise their two children. She enjoyed caring for her young family, cooking beautiful meals and maintaining an always-lovely home. Ilda was an avid gardener and her flower beds were a showcase for her prized flowers. Once her children were in high school, Ilda returned to work as an Administrative Assistant in the State Department of Corrections until her retirement. Ilda and Tom moved to Tupelo in 1998 to be closer to their first granddaughter. They became active members of St. Luke United Methodist Church. After 38 years of marriage, Tom passed away suddenly. Through church and NMMC Wellness Center activities, Ilda met Bobby Jones. They married in 2003. The couple enjoyed travelling together and serving together through St. Luke. Ilda had an incredible zeal for life. She met her health challenges with tenacity and an amazing positive attitude that was an inspiration to all who met her. She is survived by her sister, Sherryl Breland of Hattiesburg; her brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Marilyn Breland of Purvis; in-laws, Barbara and Dady Gordon of Cruger and in-laws, John and Patsy Ballard of Terry. She is further survived by daughter and son-in-law, Kaye and Fred Cannon of Tupelo, and their daughters Anna Ballard and Leigh Michael; her son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Celynn Ballard of Madison, Alabama and their children, Thomas and Kate; Bobby's daughter, Jeanne Jones; Bobby's granddaughter and her husband, Lauren and Nick Warrick of Spokane, Washington; Bobby's son and daughter in-law, Frank and Robin Jones of Rockwall, Texas and their children Kirk, Kyle, Kathleen, and Kristine; and many dear friends in Jackson and Tupelo, especially Brenda Clayton. Ilda was preceded in death by her mother and father, Gazelle and Harvey Breland; her brother, Robin Breland; her sister, Rachel Beals; her husband of 38 years, Tom Ballard and her husband of 10 years, Bobby Jones. Visitation will be 2 p.m., Sunday, January 25, 2015, with funeral services immediately following at 3:00 p.m. in The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues. Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Friendship Sunday School Class at St. Luke United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1400 Clayton Avenue, Tupelo MS 38804.