Thank you, God the Father, and the son and the Holy Spirit for the wisdom knowledge and guidance from above while waiting for the return of our blessed savior Jesus. “ This world is not my home; I’m just passing through”. Faith talked to the Lord daily; she lived each day as a blessing from God. She thanked God many times each day for the freedom we have in America.
Faith Belmar Kohler-Ballard was born on January 4th, 1934, at Ft. Sam Houston Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Faith comes from a large family of sixteen brothers and sisters. She was in the middle and graduated from Boerne High School in 1952. While in high school she milked at the family dairy and went to school playing tennis, basketball, swimming and maintained high grades. She was captain of her teams while in school. She met and married the love of her life John Dodge Ballard Sr. ,after just one date. They were married June 20th, 1952, and had 62 years together before his passing. He was a disabled Korean veteran and truly a soldier for life.
She began her family two years later and had a total of four children. While raising them she was beyond a stay-at-home mom. She continued her education, ran two 4-H clubs with over 100+ kids, farmed. Which entailed cattle, pigs, peach trees and so much more. Faith is a retired high school principal but served at all levels. She loved her students, faculty and the families she served. She worked at Southwest ISD, Bob Hope Elementary, Ralls High School and Ozona Elementary over her many years as an educator.
Faith retired and shortly after John had a stroke, she cared for him for 17 plus years. After his passing she moved to Hamilton where she has resided for 10 plus years. She stayed active with San Antonio Stock show, Hamilton 4-H, Hamilton FFA, Hamilton Co. Jr. Livestock Association, Evant ISD helping in the lunchroom, Littleville Baptist Church and Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, several brothers and sisters and her son James Douglas Ballard.
She is survived by John Dodge Ballard Jr., his fiancé Nelda Worley; Jack David Ballard and his wife Patricia (Trica) ; Faith Ballard-Massingill and her spouse Scott ; Grandchildren: Lisa Gaines and spouse Joseph ; Justin Ballard and wife Katie; Dana Ballard; Jacob Ballard; James’ three children (Megan, Matt and Kate Ballard); Faith Leah McBride and spouse Trace; Kristen Massingill; Johnny Ballard and Emily. Great Grands: Jessica Gaines; Dodge Gaines; Shyann Gaines; Forrest Gaines; Kelton Ballard; Faith Belle McBride and Gentry Gidley her great, great granddaughter.
A visitation for Faith will be held Tuesday, August 5, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Riley Funeral Home Inc., 402 West Main, Hamilton, TX 76531. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, August 6, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Riley Funeral Home, 402 West Main, Hamilton, TX 76531. A committal service will occur Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 TX-195, Killeen, TX 76542.
Serving as pallbearers are Justin Ballard, Jake Ballard, Dodge Gaines, Joseph Gaines, Trace McBride, Johnny Ballard, John Ballard, David Ballard, Steve Watson, Larry Taylor and Gus Torres.
