Surrounded by family and friends, our beloved Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma passed away peacefully on
Friday July 10, 2020 at 8:59p.m.
Rebecca Ballard was born on March 23,1941 in Newbern, Alabama to Bertha Lewis, she was the 3rd child
of 15 siblings. In 1959 she and her husband, Lovell Ballard Sr. moved to Chicago with big dreams of start-
ing a new life together. She was a devoted and loving mother of six kids, four girls and two boys. Her love
was strong, pure and unconditional. She opened her doors to any and everybody and welcomed you in,
always making you feel comfortable. We will definitely miss her sweet warm embrace. We will miss her sitting
on the couch trying to solve crosswords while yelling at the television watching her favorite show Maury.
There is no other Woman that could compare to her, she played a very important role in all of our lives but
especially; Michael (Mike-Mike) Nathaniel, Precious, Rashad, Keeshawna and Ziana. Her cooking was
amazing! She had recipes that was passed down from her Grandmother to her and she could tell you what
ingredients to use for almost every meal. She also was a phenomenal dresser. Sometimes a lil old fashioned
but stylish at the same time. She had a flair for making people look good.
She was always there for the family. There was no way to stop her from cleaning after family gathering, even
though she helped with a lot of the cooking. No matter how much her kids and grandkids would tell her to
relax, she always wanted to help. Although she is no longer with us, we will keep her memories alive. Her
unconditional love; her funny jokes, her always yelling “ONNA 4”, her smile and her flair. You will forever
and always be in our hearts.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lovell Ballard Sr.; her mother, Bertha Lewis, her two kids,
Preston Ballard Sr. and Rubie Ballard, and three brothers, Roger Hogan, Robert Lee Dates and Richard Lewis.
She is survived by One special friend Lewis Willis, four kids; Rebecca Ballard (Curtis Harris), Cynthia Ballard
(Joseph Dixon), Carrie Ballard and Lovell Ballard(Carolyn Ballard). Four adopted kids; Michael Ballard Jr.,
Nathianial Ballard, Keeshawna Ballard and Precious Smith(Andre Smith). 28 Grandkids; Micheal Ballard,
Ben Ballard, Tiffany Ballard, Shaquita Ballard, Carribeon Ballard, Christine Ballard (Cornelius Voss), Michael
Ballard Jr. Kasandra Ballard, Keyandra Ballard, Shameka Ballard, Tony Ballard, Porsha Ballard, Sharvell
Ballard, Lavell Ballard, Nathaniel Ballard, Precious Smith, Keeshawna Ballard, Rashad Mitchell, Contrina
Ballard, Curtron Clay (Jeremy Clay), Carmen Harris, Preston Ballard, Tavaris Ballard, Kamia Smart. Three
step kids; Antoine Williams, Nicole Williams and Janice Williams. Eight sisters; Alice Scott, Brenda Rambert,
Frances Lewis, Linda Scott, Juanita Lewis, Angie Lewis, Bertha Smith. Three brothers; Allen Thornton, Jimmie
Lewis, Leroy Jones. Two Sister-In-Laws; Vivian Lewis and Lula Dates and a host of Great Grandkids.
The Ballard family would like to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time. Its heartwarming
to know that Rebecca Ballard was loved by so many people and we are grateful for everyone’s kind words
and support. Thank you.