Lou Ellen Ballard, 76, went to be with her heavenly father at Richard Murphy Hospice House, Hammond, La., on Wed., Feb. 18, 2009, following a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born on Oct. 19, 1932, in Covington County, Ala., to the late Jeromie E. and Gertrude Wiggins Ballard. She was also preceded in death by one brother, James C. (Dwanis) Ballard.
Lou graduated from Rawls High School in 1950, received her B.A. degree in English with a minor in Spanish from Troy State Teachers College in 1953, and received her M.A. degree in English in 1957. She began her professional career by teaching English and Spanish at Opp High School from 1953 to 1956. From there she went on to Mississippi Southern College as an instructor of English from 1957 to 1960. In 1960, she accepted a position as instructor, then assistant professor and then associate professor of English at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La., and remained there until her retirement in 1996.
While at Southeastern Louisiana University, Lou was director of freshman English for 11 years and she co-authored two textbooks. She won the SLU president’s award for excellence in teaching, the dean’s award for excellence in teaching, College of Arts and Sciences, the distinguished member award, National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and recently the Southeastern chapter of the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi renamed its endowed scholarship in her honor.
Lou was a member of St. Albert the Great Catholic Student Center and Holy Ghost Catholic Church, both in Hammond, La.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Lou’s name at Richard Murphy Hospice Foundation, 16013 Halbert Lane, Hammond, La. 70403.
The family would like to thank all of the staff at Richard Murphy Hospice House for their help and support.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Audrey Ballard; a nephew and his wife, Jimmy and Tina Ballard; great-nieces Ashley B. Terry, Megan B. Weant and Whitney Ballard; a great-nephew, Catlin Ballard; and a great-great nephew, Mason Sheridan.
Visitation will be held at the St. Albert Chapel and Catholic Student Center, 409 W. Dakota St., Hammond, La., from 9 a.m. until the mass of Christian burial begins at 10:30 a.m. today.
Graveside services are scheduled for Tues., Feb. 24, at 9 a.m. at the Andalusia Memorial Cemetery.
Local arrangements are by Foreman Funeral Home.