Kathy Elane Ballard Burkham

Kathy passed away on December 26, 2021 in Tyler, Texas after a brave battle with cancer. She was born on July 27, 1951 in Kaufman County to German Oscar Ballard and Lela Annie Blue Ballard. Kathy grew up in the Myrtle Springs area and graduated from Wills Point High School.

Kathy was a long time member of the Jackson Baptist Church, where she played the piano for many years. She spent her free time rescuing dogs. Many of these dogs became therapy dogs, something Kathy was passionate about. She loved taking the dogs to visit the nursing homes and VA hospitals. Kathy always had a smile, a Baby Ruth and a Diet Dr. Pepper in hand and made the best banana pudding.. She lit up a room when she entered and never met a stranger. Kathy loved the Lord, her family and friends dearly. Kathy leaves an empty place in the hearts of all that knew and loved her.

Kathy is survived by her daughters, Kim Burkham & Dewayne Tyler of Canton, TX and Janet Denton of Canton, TX; Grandchildren, Kayla & Drake Mitchell of Fate, TX, Gage Denton of Canton, TX and Colton Denton of Canton, TX; The love of her life, Floyd Rowan; Sisters Jean & Eugene Beddingfield, Suzanne Collard; brother Danny & Cindy Ballard; her beautiful therapy dogs; her church family and a host of other family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, German Oscar and Lela Ballard and brother, Billy Ballard.

A visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service on December 31, 2021.

In lieu of flowers the family asked that you please donate to the Alliance Therapy Dogs or the American Cancer Society.