Jean Crawford Blackwell Ballard passed into the loving arms of her savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, December 15, 2019 after a long, happy and productive life. Jean was born on Christmas day, 1926 to Albert and Cornelia Blackwell in Rapid City, South Dakota. She shared her early life with one brother, Douglas Blackwell. All four of their grandparents lived close by.
The greatest joy of her teenage years was spending summers on the “Lazy A” cattle and horse ranch near Gillette, Wyoming. She made life-long friends of ranch owners, Patsy and Buster Brown.
As adventurous as she was smart, after finishing high school at age 17 in 1944, she departed the cold climes of South Dakota and enrolled in a federal nurses training program at Austin’s Brackenridge Hospital. The program deployed nurses for WWII and she was prepared to serve, however the war ended before she graduated. After graduation as an RN, she met Billy Ballard on a blind date. A year later, they married on September 9, 1947 and settled in Austin.
Billy and Jean had three sons, Mark Wayne, Stanton Neal and Brad Lee. Jean juggled marriage, motherhood and a nursing career at Brackenridge Hospital. In 1961, she enrolled in the University of Texas where she completed a Bachelor’s Degree in US Government in 1965. As a UT student, she tutored several Longhorn football players on the 1963 National Championship team. The players came to the Ballard home to study. It was a special treat for her young sons to rub elbows with their Longhorn heroes!
After graduation, Jean taught Geography at Travis High School. Eventually, she went back to nursing at the Austin State Hospital.
Jean retired in the early 1980’s and she and Billy built a cabin within sight of Pikes Peak in Colorado. All of their grandchildren visited the cabin and spent many happy days tubing, fishing, and building forts. After supper, they’d play cards until bedtime.
Jean enjoyed a lifelong intellectual curiosity. She followed the news intently and always had opinions on national and world events. She continued her love of learning, attending seminars and through the UT ‘LAMP’ program. Her love of reading lasted throughout her life.
Jean and Billy were life-long followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and active members of the Cameron Road Church of Christ. They also taught Bible classes at the county prison.
Jean was predeceased by; Billy, her husband of 72 years; her parents and brother, Doug and his wife Jean. She is survived by her sons; Mark (Becky), Stan (Patricia), and Brad (Charlotte). And by 9 grandchildren; Drew (Emily), Hunter, Theresa (Bart), Walker, Travis, Zachary, Adam (Fran), Stacy (Adam), Kyle (Erin) and one great-grandson Calvin.
