Juanita Cook Ballard

Juanita Cook Ballard died on October 6th 2015 in Cedar Park Medical Center, Cedar Park, Texas while on vacation. A woman of strong faith, she looked death in the eye and around 4:30 p.m. her suffering from complications of pneumonia was ended. The nurse assigned to Bill after Juanita passed away was a young Ethiopian appropriately named Heaven. Juanita was preceded in death by her mother, Retha Jewell Miles Cook and the father of her children, Clyde Thomas. She is survived by her husband, of 38 years, Bill Ballard. She is also survived by her daughter, Debbie K. McAdory, (Ron), son, Gregory C. Thomas, (Mary Nell), Step-daughter, Cyndy Ballard Styles, (Kenny), and step-son, Tony Ballard; six grandchildren: Kael McAdory, Scott McAdory, Christopher Thomas, Sara Deeter, step-grandchildren, Cliff LeFlore (Kristen), and JD Styles; six great-grandchildren, Megan Hudson, Drew McAdory, Grayson Thomas, Becca Thomas and step-great-grandchildren, Landry Leflore and Lad Leflore. A reader from her early youth, Juanita could read a book a day and tell all about it. The real love was what she could do with her wonderful education that she received at Benton High School, LRU, U of A and UCA. She was considered to be a natural educator and counselor. Juanita loved troubled children and spent six years as a counselor at the Girls Training School in Alexander. She became a counselor at Bryant High School in 1976 and retired as Dean of Girls in 1992. Juanita loved games, but the one she loved most was Bridge. She became a masterful player. Juanita and Bill Ballard married on August 1, 1977 and for 38 years enjoyed the kind of marriage all would love to have experienced. Bill and Juanita traveled to many countries, and to almost every state. They had the joy of including Glenn and Dorcas Holicer on a cruise to Alaska, and visiting at least eight Canadian Provinces, as well as going to four European countries. A memorial service will be conducted by Reverend Dr. Dari Rowen on Saturday, October 17th at the First Presbyterian Church at 501 N East Street in Benton, 72015. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 am. All friends and family are invited. A private service will be held in the future. To send a condolence to the family please use fpcos@sbcglobal.net Individuals wishing to make a memorial are asked to consider the Bill and Juanita Ballard Endowed Student Scholarship for the benefit of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, at 2801 South University Avenue, Little Rock, Ark. 72204, First Presbyterian Church, 501 N East Street, Benton, Ark. 72015, or one of your own choice.