December 7, 1939 – November 25, 2023
Jualela Ballard, 83, Sheridan, passed away on Saturday morning, November 25, 2023, at Countryside Manor in Anderson, Ind. Born December 7, 1939, in Wheeler, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Ivory L. and Charles (Reynolds) Ramsey.
She was a 1958 graduate of Sheridan High School, and Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Sheridan American Legion.
For a short time, Jualela worked for Biddle Manufacturing before shifting her focus to her family. In her eyes, there was nothing more important. When the kids were younger, Jualela tried living in Florida for a while. The call of the Hoosier state was strong, and the family soon migrated back to Indiana. She loved to travel, and her family members were her favorite travel companions. Every year they would make the annual pilgrimage to Nashville, Ind.
Although Jualela loved country music, it was the King of Rock and Roll that really captured her attention. Her most cherished possession was likely the life-sized poster of Elvis that adorned her living room wall. As Jualela always considered herself “the Queen” of her family, it was fitting to have the King there as well. Elvis wasn’t the only thing that got her heart racing; cheering on her Indianapolis Colts was another favorite pastime.
Family was everything to Jualela, and even though you aren’t supposed to have favorites when it comes to family, she did: her grandchildren. The grandkids took precedence over anything and everything.
Jualela is survived by her son, Tracy Ballard (Randa) of Anderson; stepson, Hobart Dale Ballard, Jr.; stepson-in-law, Gary Scherer of Lapel; daughter, Penny Ballard-Roudebush (Jeff) of Kirklin, two grandchildren, Ryan Patrick Ballard and Ashley Ballard (Mike Montag); four step-grandchildren, Gavin Isbell, Josh Isbell, Misty Leicht (Adam), and Chad Roudebush (Beth); four great-grandchildren, Logan Dale Patrick Ballard, Trinity Maleah Ann Ballard, Myaha Elaine Ballard, and Emily Jean Montag; and four step-great-grandchildren, Seth Leicht, Keylyn Leicht, Cael Roudebush, and Jamison Roudebush.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivory L. and Charles (Reynolds) Ramsey; brother, John T. Ramsey; sisters, Maxine Ramsey and Willa Dean Cathcart; stepdaughter, Marsha Ballard Scherer; brother-in-law, Joe Cathcart; niece, Carla Ann Weaver; and by her husband, Horbert Dale Ballard on July 19, 2005. Together they were married in 1962.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from noon until the time of service.
Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Pastor VJ Stover will be officiating.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com