Ann Lee Ballard

Ann Lee Ballard, 92, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 20, 2025, after a brief illness, with her loving husband of 69 years, Allen Ballard, by her side.

In addition to her husband, Ann is survived by her six children, Kevin Ballard (Patty Ballard), Robin Ballard (Genie Ballard), Tessie Scurei (Greg Scurei), Sue Groleau (Daryl Groleau), Jon Ballard (Jill Ballard), and Jackie Aillet (Tony Aillet); 20 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Loretta Muse (Jack Muse).  Predeceased by her father, Jonathan Wood; mother, Effie Patrick; as well as her siblings, Thelma Wood, Betty Rhoton, Milton Wood, Howard Wood, Sue Hall, and David Wood.

Ann was born on September 7, 1933 in Kingsport, Tennessee and was raised in the Eastern Tennessee and SW Virginia area. She shared countless stories of climbing the hills of Tennessee and swimming in the creeks. At the age of 23, Ann ventured out for the first time away from home to live and work in Daytona Beach, Florida along with her girlfriend. That Spring, Ann was set-up on a blind date with a handsome sailor named Allen Ballard and the rest is history.  After marrying in Sanford, Florida, in 1956, Ann and Allen ultimately made the Midwest their home for many years, living in Rockton and South Beloit, Illinois; as well as spending winter seasons at Golden Vista Resort in Apache Junction, Arizona. 

She was a devoted member of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Roscoe, Illinois, for decades, where she served in myriad ways, from singing in the choir to teaching Vacation Bible School.  When her nose wasn’t buried in a book, her hands were always busy sewing clothing and crafts, swimming laps across pools, rearranging Scrabble tiles to hit a Triple Word Score, shuffling cards before generational card games, gripping a croquet mallet to win another match, and punching down dough baking her famous Ballard Buns.

But nowhere did her hands feel more at home than wrapped around those she loved, and nothing gave her more pride than her family, who are honored to carry on her legacy of love.

Please join us honoring Ann’s long life and loving heart with a visitation at Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory-Roscoe Chapel, 11342 Main St., Roscoe, IL 61073, Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 1:00 to 5:00pm (eulogy at 4:00 pm). Reception and fellowship to follow at Roscoe Township Community Center (Founders Park), 4562 Hononegah Rd., Roscoe, from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Light food and refreshments will be provided.

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