BEEDEVILLE — James “Jimmy” Harold Ballard,

age 91, passed away on March 10, 2020 in Little Rock, Ark. Jimmy was born September 2, 1928 in Beedeville to Gertrude (Bland) and Carl Millard Ballard. He married Neva Caye (Makinson) Ballard on October 23, 1948 in Beedeville.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his mother, Gertrude on May 16, 1980; his father, Carl on September 12, 1981; and sisters, Mildred “Millie” Kathryn Burnette and Francis M. Reiter. Jimmy is survived by his children, Danny (Karen) Ballard of Roland, Ark.; and Linda Thomas (Greg) of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Christopher Neece (Emily) of Fort Worth, Texas, Erin Neece of Dallas, Texas, Grant Ballard of Roland, Ark., and Lauren Ballard of Fayetteville; niece, Doris (Russ) Carter of Jonesboro; and nephew, Pat Burnette.

Jimmy spent his life as a farmer in Beedeville and loved Neva, his wife of 72 years, fishing, hunting, playing with his grandchildren, and spending every morning at the local Beedeville “coffee shop” with his friends.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Assisted Living on Chenal in Little Rock for their kind and considerate support and care and his longterm caregivers, Shelia and Marsha.

Visitation will be held at Jackson’s Funeral Home in Newport, Ark., on Saturday, March 14 from 10-11 a.m. Funeral service will follow in Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel, at 11 a.m. with J.L. May officiating. Burial will immediately follow the service at Eightmile Cemetery in Beedeville, Ark.

Pallbearers include Danny Ballard, Chris Neece, Grant Ballard, Pat Burnette, Russ Carter, and Ricky Ballard. Honorary pallbearers include Homer Makinson, Greg Thomas, Wyant Beede, Larry Dabbs, Bill Allen, and Pat Ballard.

Memorials may be made to the Eightmile Cemetery Fund, c/o Larry Dabbs, 7301 Hwy. 37 South, Newport, Ark. 72112. Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home. www.jacksonsfh.com.