Virginia M Ballard

Our beloved mother, Virginia Mae Ballard (Simms), age 95, of Louisville, went home to our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Green Meadows Nursing Home in Mt. Washington, Kentucky. She was surrounded by her loving family, held tightly as she was gifted her wings.

Virginia was born on January 20, 1931, in St. Francis, Kentucky, to Ado and Mary Simms. She was a devoted member of St. Rita Catholic Church. While she dedicated most of her life to raising and loving her children, she also worked at Jiffy Drive Inn and Gold Star Chili during the 1970s and 1980s. Her cooking was well known—so much so that her famous biscuits and gravy inspired a chili restaurant to offer breakfast.

She had a love for bingo and a special fondness for pull-tabs. Later in life, she enjoyed the opportunity to travel and see places she had long dreamed of visiting. Even at 95, Virginia remained a firecracker, full of spirit and life. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ado and Mary Simms; her sisters, Ruth, Naomi, and Shirley; her brother, Bobby; her husband, Francis Newman; and her sons, James Anderson, Richard Cris, and Kevin Edward Ballard.

She is survived by her sisters, Joyce and Bonnie; her brothers, J.A. and Gerald; her sons, Thomas Mark (Judy), William Kenneth (Becky), and Edward Keith (Rhonda); and her daughter, Linda Provost (Don). She also leaves behind many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren.

Visitation for Virginia will be on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 1 to 8 pm at Arch L Heady Okolona Funeral Home, 8519 Preston Hwy. Her funeral will be on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 10:30 am at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Highland Memorial Gardens in Mt. Washington.

In honor of Virginia, donations may be made to Hosparus of Louisville.