JOYCE THOMASSON BALLENGER

Joyce Thomasson Ballenger passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 27, 2006 after a sudden heart problem. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 30, 2006 at the 1st Christian Church in Kilgore, Texas. Reverend Bill Blanks will officiate and Mrs. Jean Worden will provide the music. Interment in Kilgore will follow the services.

The Family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Joyce was born on June 3, 1926 in Crockett, Texas to Opal and Russell Thomasson. She graduated from Crockett High School in 1943. She graduated from Baylor University in 1946 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While at Baylor she was a member and president of the Peer Club. After graduation she taught in Crockett and Henderson, teaching Chemistry and Spanish for three years to students just months younger than she.

While in Henderson, she met Dan Ballenger, the love of her live. She and Dan married on July 15, 1950. Joyce retired to become a homemaker, a job she loved and cherished. Joyce was a member of the Coterie Club, the Evergreen Garden Club, and the Kilgore Music Club. She took an active role in these organizations hosting members in her home, preparing programs and creating floral arrangements. She was also active in the Kilgore public schools which her daughters attended.

Joyce and Dan faithfully attended the 1st Christian Church for over 50 years. While Dr. Clayton Worden was the pastor and his wife, Jean was organist; Joyce would substitute as the Church organist. When the Wordens retired in the early 1990’s, Joyce volunteered to play the next Sunday. Joyce has faithfully volunteered as the organist since that Sunday. She truly loved playing and providing special music for the Sunday worship, weddings and funerals.

Joyce loved her family and friends. She delighted in baking cakes, pies and especially cookies to share. She filled many cookie jars to take to others and never visited a grandchild without a jar of their favorite cookies.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Dan Ballenger of Kilgore, her daughters Brynda and Nancy and their families. John and Brynda Mc- Ney live in Fort Worth and Dr. Matt and Nancy Roberts live in Crocket. Her grandchildren include John William McNey and Katy McNey of Fort Worth, Joseph Roberts of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Matt and Joanie Roberts of Dallas. She is survived by numerous sisters-inlaw, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and special friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Dr. Lyle W. Thomasson.

Pallbearers will be Robert Floyd, Bill Hale, Pete Keiser, Glen Lee, John Burton and Bruce Cunyus.

Honorary pallbearers will be Claude Wallace, Howell Hale, Edwin Slater, James Butts, Tom conner and Richard Fathergill.

Memorials can be made to the First Christian Church, 609 E. Main St., Kilgore, Texas 75662 or to the charity of choice.