Doris (Blankenship) Ballew

Doris May (Blankenship) Ballew, age 89 of Dallas, passed away on April 30, 2020. She was born on July 2, 1930 in Monette, Arkansas, the daughter of Richard Clyde Blankenship and Allie Mae Wallace Blankenship. Doris married Robert Connor Ballew in Jonesboro, Arkansas on March 30, 1956 and he preceded her in death on May 26, 2010.

Born at the beginning of the Great Depression, Doris often shared stories with her children of growing up in this era. Living in a generation filled with challenges, she was a woman who knew no boundaries and was self-taught in many areas of her life. She learned candy-making at age three by standing tiptoe on a stool; saved money working in San Diego during high school so she could go to Cosmetology school and returned to Memphis to begin her career as a hair stylist and later owned a salon in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was a self-taught seamstress and created many beautiful projects for her home and family. After her children were born, she became a stay-at-home mom and loved the time she was able to devote to her family, and her children could always find a plate of fresh-baked cookies on the counter to welcome them home from school. In addition to her sewing, cooking and baking talents, she enjoyed gardening, refinishing antique furniture, shopping, and making delectable chocolate confections. Doris loved the time she spent with her two grandchildren and her family will lovingly remember her as a woman determined to conquer any challenge that life provided and how she embraced her family with fierce love.

Doris is survived by her children Robert Connor Ballew, Jr. and Phyllis Ballew Winters and husband Terry; twin grandchildren Blake and Allie Winters; and a brother Phillip Blankenship. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, brother Kyle Blankenship, and sisters Bonnie Reid and Betty Wright.

A funeral service to honor Doris’ life will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, May 7 at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home. Private graveside services will be held on Friday morning at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.