Barbara Ann Ballard Jacobson

Barbara Ann Ballard Jacobson (“Mom”) slipped into the next life early in the morning on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Mom leaves behind her brother, Bruce Phillips Ballard (Kathy), four children—Jeffrey David (Brittany), Kevin Charles (Becky), Leon Bruce (Marie), and Melinda (Jacob)— 20 grandchildren, five great grandchildren and one on the way.

Birth, Early Life and Education

Mom was born on March 28, 1940, in Weber County, Utah, to Charles Elbert (“Grandpa Ballard”) and Zella Rose Phillips Ballard (“Grandma Ballard”). She spent her childhood and youth in Ogden with her younger brother Bruce and their dog Pokey. She often shared stories of her childhood there. She attended Polk Elementary and Lewis Junior High School.

At 16, she began working in the office of her father’s business, Ballard and Carter Company (later changed to Ballard Supply Corporation). She continued to work there while attending Ogden High School until she graduated in 1958. She enrolled at Weber College later that year, and after completing her studies there and at the Ogden Institute, she went on to attend the University of Utah.

Faith, Mission and Marriage

On April 11, 1948, at age eight, Mom was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and continued to faithfully live the gospel throughout her life. In 1962, while attending the University of Utah, she was called to serve in the Northern California Mission as a full-time missionary.

After completing her missionary service, Mom continued her education at the University of Utah where she met David K. Jacobson (“Dad”), a lab instructor. They were later married and sealed on April 30, 1965, in the Salt Lake Temple by Elder Hugh B. Brown.

Family

Mom and Dad began their life together in a small apartment on 123 Q Street, Apt 4, in Salt Lake City. There they later welcomed their first two sons, Jeff and me (“Kevin”), along with Spunky the dog, and Millie the stray cat.

In 1970, they moved to their newly built home in Centerville where Leon and Melinda joined the family followed by Johnny the cat and Taffy the dog. She served in many roles as she raised us including volunteering as a Room Mother and the PTA President of J. A. Taylor Elementary.

Life also brought its share of difficult moments. Grandma Ballard, her mother, passed away on March 13, 1985, bringing much sadness. Dad passed away unexpectedly on January 13, 1992 and later that same year Grandpa Ballard also passed away.

Despite these losses, Mom continued to faithfully support and nurture her family. She found great joy in her children and grandchildren and loved attending their games, concerts, school events, and many other activities. Life was never exactly as she planned, but she was resilient through tough moments by saying, “it’s getting better.”

Church and Temple Service

Mom loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and served in many church callings throughout her life including Primary President, Ward Relief Society President, Stake Relief Society President, and Family History Committee Member. She always went the extra mile to make lessons, activities, and celebrations memorable and spiritually edifying.

In 2004, she was called as an ordinance worker in the Bountiful Utah Temple. She served in various positions at the temple including shift coordinator—which required a significant sacrifice of time and effort and help from Melinda—until her release in 2017.

Though she wasn't able to continue to serve in the temple, with Melinda's help, she continued her service by organizing multiple lines of family histories and pictures. She enjoyed telling details of the people and places that she remembered.

Always aware of family, she organized a Ballard Family Christmas dinner that was held every other year on December 23, at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building located at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. She loved meeting with and catching up with the Ballard family relatives.

When health challenges made attending church difficult, she enjoyed watching the video streams of multiple Sacrament Meetings each Sunday and reading the scriptures and the Come, Follow Me lessons each week.

Hobbies and Interests

Mom was invested in the people around her and she rarely missed a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion. She was meticulous at preparing personally picked cards and gifts. Her generous heart blessed our lives and many others. Thanksgiving and Christmas were always bountiful and blessed with her participation and planning.

She loved her yard and garden. Each year she planted vegetables, flowers, and other plants that made her home…home. Her yard featured a variety of feeders and a birdbath, and she delighted in the hummingbirds that returned each spring. Deer, squirrels, quail, and other little visitors were also frequent guests that she enjoyed watching.

Farewell

We mourn her absence, but are happy for her release from an aging mortal body and we rejoice for her reunions with her loved ones that have passed before her. We love you, Mom, and will miss you. God be with you and us till we meet again.

A Gathering will be held at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT 84106, US, on March 12, 2026, from 9:00 am to 9:45 am.

A Memorial Service will be held following the gathering from 10:00 am to 10:30 am. Livestream link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26032139086362

Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Belmont section.