Melissa Elaine Ballard

Melissa Elaine (Sparger) Ballard, 59, of Kokomo, IN went home to be with the Lord at 10:15 p.m. on Saturday, September 9th, 2023. She was born on April 21st, 1964; the daughter of Eugene Robert Sparger and Marilyn Jean (Jarrett) Sparger. Melissa worked as a server in the restaurant and hospitality industry before becoming a home health care worker in her later years.

Melissa was a wonderful person and a great friend to have. She loved to be a blessing to other people and she was able to do that for many years through her work and being a listening ear to those who needed it. Melissa loved to help people sort through their own problems in life through her wisdom and advice. Her family joked that she was a rocking chair therapist. Melissa loved to listen to music in her spare time. She loved to sing and was a fan of many genre’s. She was a member and volunteer of Abundant Life Church. Praise and worship of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, were among one of the many things she loved to do.

Although Melissa cared for so many, there was nothing she loved more than her family. She lived for her children, grandchildren, and her dog, Nala. She spent many years being a devoted mom and nanny. Melissa loved to sing and spend quality time with her sister’s, as well as her many nieces and nephews.

Left to cherish her memory are her two children: Tyler (Sancia) Sparger and Jamie (James) Flynn of Kokomo; five grandchildren: Bricyn Cooks, Elijah, Angelo, and Akayla Flynn, and Xaelynn Sparger; four sister’s: Debbie Blu (Travis) of Tennessee, Catherine (Timothy) Sparger-Hutchison, Lisa Shulick, and Christina Tandy, all of Kokomo; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Wayne Ballard Sr.; her father and mother: Marilyn Jean (Jarrett) Sparger and Eugene Robert Sparger; and her niece: Melinda Jean Sparger.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday September 15th, 2023 at Abundant Life Church, 1025 County Road E 400 S Kokomo, Indiana 46902 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Officiating the celebration is Pastor Caylob Baldwin. Please feel free to share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com