Sandra Owens Ralls

Sandra Owens Ralls, beloved mother, Nana, teacher and friend, passed away on Tues., Oct. 27, at UAB hospital in Birmingham. She was born in Andalusia on Feb. 3, 1952, the daughter of Ray and Carolyn Owens and sister to Don Owens (Sharon), both of Evergreen.

In her 24th year of teaching, Sandra taught at Pleasant Home School in Andalusia. She was also an active member of Hopewell Baptist Church. She is survived by her father, mother, brother, her three children: Gil (Amanda), Mandy (Ryan) and Cass (Michael), her 10 beloved grandchildren (Bailey, Addy, Gracie, Aubrey, Ella, Cade, Lily, Owen, Maddie, and Brody), as well as many members of the Ralls family in the Brooklyn area.

The memorial service to celebrate Sandra’s life & legacy will be held at Pleasant Home School Auditorium on Sat., Oct. 31. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. and the service will follow at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in her honor to Pleasant Home School (12548 Falco Rd., Andalusia, AL 36420), Hopewell Baptist Church Youth Ministry (6592 Brooklyn Rd., Andalusia, AL 36421), or First Baptist Church, Abbeville, AL Children’s Ministry (PO Box 606, Abbeville, AL 36310).

 

Elaine L. Ballard

(Margaurite) Elaine Lunsford Ballard died Mon., Sept. 28, 2015, at the Heath Center of Pensacola in Pensacola, Fla., after a long illness.

Elaine was born Feb. 27, 1930, to Colon Alonzo Lunsford and Zuba L. (Harris) Lunsford, on their fourth wedding anniversary. She attended school in Andalusia and Niagara Falls, N.Y.

A very accomplished student, Elaine graduated from Andalusia High School in 1948 as class salutatorian, magna cum laude. In addition, Elaine was vice president of the Speech Club and associate editor of the Andy Hi-Lite. She was a member of the National Honor Society, D. O. Club, and tennis team. She continued her support of Andalusia High School as a member of the Class of 1948 Foundation.

Elaine was married on July 15, 1949, to Wilson Ray “Bill” Ballard of Gantt, son of M. C. Ballard and Lena Clark Ballard. Their marriage produced three children, Sharon Ree, Vicki Rae, and Cynthia Ann. Since Bill was career military, Elaine and family were stationed in many locations. In 1959, in Casablanca, Morocco (Africa), Bill was killed in a tragic car accident. Elaine returned to Pensacola where her parents were living to raise her three daughters.

In 1961, Elaine entered the full time ministry, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Her ministry brought her great joy and satisfaction. She remained single the rest of her life, devoting herself to raising her daughters and teaching people from the Bible about Jehovah God, his son, Jesus Christ, and his kingdom. Many of her students became her spiritual children and were very dear to her. She also cared for her parents until their deaths in 1996.

In Elaine’s later years, a very special person, Pamela Proffitt, joined her family as an adopted daughter. “Pammie” helped care for Elaine and came to be a loved and devoted family member.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Wilson “Bill” Ray Ballard; her parents, Colon and Zuba Lunsford; her sister, Marjorie D. Cupp; and her niece and nephew, Dale Campbell Griffin and Randall L. Campbell. Patricia Ann Hudson, Elaine’s youngest sister, died on Oct. 6, 2015.

Elaine is survived by her daughters, Sharon Lord (Michael) of Pensacola; Vicki Garner (Charles) of Grayson, Ga.; Cynthia Holobaugh (Michael) of Florala; her grandchildren, Kristina Griffin Kinloch (Marc) of Huntsville, Sean Griffin of Tallahassee, Fla., and Zachary Holobaugh (Amber) of Florala; her uncle, Homer Lunsford of Andalusia; her sisters-in-law, Lois Duesing and Odessa Ballard, both of Gantt; her nieces (Barbara Cromer, Terry Ridgdill, Linda Lint, Angela Elms and Lisa Vollenweider); and her nephews (Ronald and Glenn Ballard; and Ronald and Steven Hudson).

The memorial service for Elaine Ballard and Patricia Hudson will be at 10:30 a.m. on Sat., Oct. 31, 2015, at the Ensley Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 8430 Pittman Avenue in Pensacola. Brother Mitchell Hilson will officiate.

The family will receive the friends after the service at the Ensley Elementary School, 501 E. Johnson Avenue, in Pensacola.

Another memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. in Andalusia on Nov. 1, 2015, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Highway 29 South. The family will receive friends at the Shaw Building after the service.

The family would like to thank family and friends for their loving support during these last difficult years. A special thanks to caretakers Bobbi Johnston, Diane Wilkins, and Judi Rogers, the staff at the Health Center of Pensacola, and Covenant Hospice.

Elaine Ballard will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Trahan Family Funeral Home – Pensacola is in charge of arrangements.