Hazel Ozelle Ballard, loving mother, sister, wife, grandmother and great-grandmother left us on August 1, 2023 at age 92.
She was born in Birmingham, Alabama during the Great Depression. After graduating High School she worked for Hayes Aircraft as an Executive Secretary where she met her husband of 65 years, Ureay Gene Ballard. They lived in Alabama, New York, Mississippi, Washington D.C. and Texas. Together they had 3 children.
Hazel always looked forward to new experiences and strove to build home and hearth for her family along the way. Holiday gatherings were always special times, with great food and family. She was a dedicated Christian, helping many throughout the years. She traveled on multiple mission trips to China and Haiti, created The "In Place" Ministries, and became an ordained pastor so that she could visit jails.
She is celebrated by her husband, Gene, children Larry, Elaine and Lowell, daughter-in-laws Donna and Heather, son-in-law Christopher, grandchildren Chris, Kimberly, Gregory, Noah, Levi, Hannah, Caleb, Esther, Josiah, Abigail and Elijah, grand daughter-in-laws Emily, Lily and Madisyn, great grandchildren Lincoln, Oliver, Wesley, Nora and Xahlia.