Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Donald Ray Ballard, 74

Donald Ballard MF Picture

Donald Ray Ballard, 74 of Hot Springs

“You are reading here online that I am dead.   Do not believe a word of it, for I am more alive than ever before.” I borrowed this quote from the great evangelist, D.L. Moody, because I couldn’t think of a better way to give such good news.

I am now with my Savior. I am now in my real home. This body that I have no more use for is dead and gone. If you want to shed tears, make them tears of joy. I am rejoicing in heaven. Remember that I am with my Lord! This past Wednesday March 30, 2016, was a time of great reunion. I am once again with my parents Melton (Buck) & Hilda Ballard, sister Cheryl Clark, Mom, Dad and Shay Mangiapane and all of my loved ones that have gone before me and we will be together for all eternity. I have had a life of 74 years and have been blessed beyond belief with a loving family, including my wife, Stephanie Ballard, who just shared our 26th wedding anniversary with me in February. I have also been incredibly blessed with my children, daughter Teri Ballard of Norton, Ohio; my son, Michael Ballard (Windy) of Rockford, Illinois(thank you Karen Ballard for them); stepchildren, Wendy Rooney (Ryan) of Hot Springs, Michael Kuykendall (Kim) of Hot Springs, and Joe Robinson of Knoxville, Tennessee and loving brother-in-law Shel Mangiapane of Texarkana, Texas. From these children I have been blessed with 17 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

I was born in Rayville, Louisiana, July 13, 1941 and grew up in Akron Ohio then came to Hot Springs in 1984 to be close to my parents who had retired here. I opened Heritage Glassworks and began designing and building stained glass and etched windows and doors. This eventually became just a hobby. I worked in various other fields until my retirement in 2001. I have been active in my church and received much joy working in the food pantry and clothes closet with my friends.

Having reached the end of my life on earth, I reflect on the great joy that my family, church family and friends brought to me and on the relationships I formed throughout my time there. Thank you for making my life richer. When you read this I will have taken my last breath there, and the next in heaven. Many of you I will see again. Some I won’t and that is the saddest thing in the world to me. God has made provision that “none should perish.” That provision was the sacrifice of His Son. There is no way we can earn, buy, or work our way into heaven. The only way is to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him Lord of your life. John 3:16 is the most quoted verse. “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believed in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life.” Please let that verse speak to your heart and receive that gift of salvation so we will meet again.

Yours truly, Don

The memorial service will be 10 am, Saturday April 9, 2016 at Harvey’s Chapel Baptist Church, 2515 Mountain Pine Rd. Hot Springs, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers please make a memorial donation to Harvey’s Chapel Food Pantry.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street Jacksonville, Arkansas. 501-982-3400

19 Comments

  • Tommy and Jill Fletcher Posted April 1, 2016 9:11 PM

    Stephanie, We love you and will miss Don terribly! Praise God, Don is home singing and praising the Lord. This is the most awesome and encouraging obituary I have ever read. The tears of joy are a bit hard right now, but they will come because we know the separation is only temporary. I better study up on the duets, he has them perfect now.🎶. Love you so much!!💜

  • Kirk Arnaud Posted April 1, 2016 9:51 PM

    RIP Don!

  • Don Thomason Posted April 1, 2016 10:32 PM

    Great guy. Glad I knew him.

  • Shelia vincebt Posted April 1, 2016 10:42 PM

    My life was truly blessed by Mr Don, Thank you Jesus for sending him to Harveys Chapel Baptist church. This man has touched more lives than anyone could ever imagine. I love you
    Lord and I thank you so much for my brother Don. I loved him so much, and enjoyed loving and servings and studying, singing and praising you Lord with this talented, sweet man.
    The time seems to short, but again I thank you for each time I received a smile,a hug from this Godly man of yours. I miss him so much. Love you Mr Don I will see again in glory .

  • Walter & Randy Wright Posted April 2, 2016 6:59 AM

    Steph, we are so sorry for your loss but are rejoicing for Bro. Don. Just as his obit say’s I know without a doubt he is with Jesus right now! We are praying for you and your family.

  • Manjusha Kota Posted April 2, 2016 1:27 PM

    Rest in peace Pops! You will be missed
    May the lords angels be around the family and be a balm of Gilead in Jesus name
    I pray
    Dr Kota

  • Kim Morgan Posted April 2, 2016 4:55 PM

    Don was always a very special person in my life. Always had a smile, a kind word and a hug. I always have treasured the Christmas ornament he gave me that he made and think of him every time I put them on the tree, but will even moreso now. I’m so glad I will see him again!

  • Stacy C Smith Posted April 2, 2016 9:19 PM

    Sorry for your loss. This letter from Don on the website is beautiful.

  • Linda Mangiapane Posted April 2, 2016 10:13 PM

    To a very humble & nice man. I’m glad you & Stef found each other. I know you & your family will not want us there Saturday, so we won’t attend….sorry our relationship with you became soured. There were good times though……Rest in heaven, Don.

  • Charolette Mcmillan Posted April 2, 2016 10:17 PM

    Praying for you and your family

  • jay Ramsey Posted April 3, 2016 10:47 AM

    My condolences to each of you. I use to go to church with Don and Stephanie and had worked with the step-son Mike. I enjoyed the uplifting spirit Don had. GOD bless

  • shelia thrower Posted April 3, 2016 2:36 PM

    Don I enjoyed working with in pantry , going to church with you also I’m happy to have had you as a brother in Christ. You will be dearly missed but one day we all will be together. You were a wonderful God loving man. BYE FOR NOW

  • Elizabeth Porter Posted April 4, 2016 8:22 AM

    My prayers to the family. Rest in peace Brother Don, you are with our Lord and Savior.

  • Marlene E Pearlstein Posted April 4, 2016 11:54 AM

    Stephanie I am so sorry to hear about Don. I remember him. He was one nice guy. He will be missed.

  • Carol Ballard Posted April 4, 2016 3:27 PM

    My deepest condolences to all of Don’s family. Sincerely

  • JIM&ART MARTIN Posted April 5, 2016 9:04 AM

    I’M SO PROUD TO HAVE KNOW SUCH A KIND AND GENTLE SOUL. A GRATEFUL BELIEVER IN JESUS!!! HE WILL BE MISSED!!!!

  • Lacey and Donnie Klemm Posted April 5, 2016 7:52 PM

    We didn’t know Don all that well, but he was so kind and welcoming when we joined Harvey Chapel, he will be missed but we will rejoice that he is now with our Savior.

  • Margaret Elliott Posted April 6, 2016 8:39 AM

    I am sorry for your loss, but happy Don is at home with passed
    family. My prayers are with you during this trying times.

  • Sandra Currey Posted April 7, 2016 7:19 AM

    One of the finest Christian men I have known. Don always had such kind words for everyone and an uplifting attitude. I loved hearing him sing about The Lord he loved so much!

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