Shirley Deason Ballard

She was a native of Forest, Louisiana and had been a resident of Vinton for the last 38 years. Shirley enjoyed going to the Vinton Senior Center daily for fellowship and playing games with friends but especially enjoyed spending time with her family. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Jimmie Ballard; her sons, Randy Deason and Barry Deason and wife, Jana, all of Vinton; step-children, Jimmie Ballard, Jr. and wife, Sarah, John Ballard and wife, Stacy, and Janice Cumbie and husband, Les; her siblings, Reba Sharplin and Vendal Fairchild, both of Forest; her grandchildren, Justin Malone, Coley Deason, Kaley Simon, Lacey Granger, and Alec Deason; and seven great-grandchildren, Talan Mouton, Adilyn Simon, Kaynon Granger, Grayson Granger, Mason Malone, Ian Malone, and Brodey Deason. She is preceded in death by her husband, James Deason; and her sister, Ruby Dale Harris.

Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, in Hixson Funeral Home of Vinton. The Rev. Gerard Little will officiate. Burial will be in Big Woods Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Monday and from noon until the time of service Tuesday in the funeral home. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.