Larry Brown Ballard, Sr.

Larry Brown Ballard, Sr., of Lizella, Georgia, passed away on Friday, September 29, 2023, at the age of 74. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at Mikado Baptist Church with Pastor Rusty Smith and Dr. Rick Arrowood officiating. The family will greet friends and family from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM prior to the service in the church sanctuary. Burial will follow the service at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens with Pastor Ed Chambliss officiating. 

Mr. Ballard was born in 1949, in Macon, Georgia, to the Late Joe Brown and Mary Elizabeth Collins Ballard. He was a 1968 graduate of Willingham High School.  Mr. Ballard joined the Army right out of high school and rose to the rank of Sergeant (E-5).   He proudly served his country and was a decorated combat veteran, earning the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with “V” device.  He worked as an electrician for forty plus years.

Mr. Ballard was married to his “B” for fifty-one years.  He was a faithful member of Mikado Baptist Church.  His faith was strong in the Lord, and he loved his family dearly. He enjoyed spending time working, riding his UTV, and gardening.  He loved to cook, especially preparing his special BBQ (where love was the special ingredient), and spending time with all his grandchildren. Sunday dinners were a special time for the whole family to gather; enjoying one another, sharing smiles and laughter, eating delicious meals, and making memories that will last for generations to come.  He will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, his church, and his community.  

He loved “God, Country, Family”.

Mr. Ballard is survived by his loving wife of fifty-one years, Patsy Ballard of Lizella; daughter, Josie Ballard Ezelle (Chris); son, Larry Ballard, Jr. (Mandy); his grandchildren; Jackson Lambert, Jefferson Lambert, Joey Lambert, Weldon Ballard, Boone Ballard, Sophie Ballard, Isabella Ezelle and Callie Dossett (Paul); his sister-in-laws, Jimmie Ballard and Gherry Gottwalls; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mary Ballard; and his siblings, Raymond Odell Ballard, Sr., Annette Ragan, and Walter E. Ballard, Sr., Bob Ballard, Charlie Mack Gottwalls, Kinloch  Gottwalls and sister-in-law Cathy Harris.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Jews for Jesus”, by visiting https://jewsforJesus.org, or to “Towers to Tunnels” by visiting their website at www.t2t.org.

Please visit www.sardisheardfunerals.com to express your condolences.

Sardis-Heard Funeral Home, 6125 Houston Road, Macon, Georgia, 31216, has charge of the arrangements.

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