Emma Jane Ballard

"I have fought the good fight: I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. Now, there is a crown of righteousness from which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall award to me." 2 Timothy 4:7-8. On Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, at 12:40 a.m., surrounded by her loved ones, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Emma Jane Ballard, departed this life for a well-deserved rest into the comforting arms of her Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. She was born on Sept. 2, 1927, in Gloster, Miss. She was a dedicated homemaker and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who adored her family. She is survived by and will be greatly missed by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Evelyn and Kelly Gerald, Franklinton, Donna Dipuma, Denham Springs, and Annette and Frank Riley, Idaho; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Elton Jr. and Cindy Ballard, Ponchatoula, and William Chris Ballard, and Chester A. and Sharon Ballard, all of Denham Springs; sister, Margaret McKinney, Killian; 12 grandchildren, Elton, Brian, Jeffrey, Chay, Chryslyn, Travis, Dawn, Chad, Sean, April, Mark and Anthony; and 12 great-grandchildren, Abigail, Dallas, Raylyn, Lil'l Ronnie, Lacy, Chance, Ashton, Kayla, Brennan, Makenna, Zachary and Tony. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ethel Barker; husband of 56 years, Elton W. Ballard Sr.; sister, Mary Hughes; two brothers, Little John and Luther Barker; son-in-law, Ronnie L. Dipuma, whom she loved like a son; granddaughter, Angelique; and infant grandson. She will always be in our thoughts and prayers as we struggle to continue our lives without her. We are comforted in our grief by the knowledge that we have been blessed just by having the honor of knowing her and being a part of this wonderful lady's life. Though sadness and sorrow fill our hearts with her passing, we know she is in a better place, and someday, we will meet her again. Visitation for Emma Jane Ballard will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Friday, Dec. 21, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation resumes on Saturday from 8 a.m. until service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Milford Walters. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Elton W. Ballard III, Brian Ballard, Jeffrey Ballard, Sean Ballard, Lil'l Ronnie Ardoin, Mike Dorsey, Paul Anderson and Joe Ardoin.