Rev. Martin Ballard
October 4, 1919 ~ January 20, 2014
Rev. Martin Ballard, 94, Glasgow, died Monday, January 20, 2014, at his residence. A native of Cumberland County, he was a son of the late Frank and Lucy Gibson Ballard. He was a retired farmer and a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church faith. He was called to preach in 1951 and was ordained to the ministry in 1958. He was a member of the Locust Grove Missionary Baptist Church which he helped to re-establish in 1965 and served as Pastor for more than 30 years. He also served as Pastor of Meshack Missionary Baptist Church for more than 30 years.
Survivors include 10 children, Mattie Wilkerson of Horse Cave, Teddy Ballard and wife, Lou Ella, of Glasgow, Johnny Ballard and wife, Georgina, of Horse Cave, Amos Ballard and wife, Meg, of Glasgow, Martha Coomer and husband, Danny, and Zeba Ballard Thomas of Cave City, Leonard Ballard of Glasgow, Brenda Vincent and husband, Greg, of Horse Cave, Joe Ballard and wife, Jennifer, of Glasgow, Luke Ballard and wife, Donna, of Edmonton; two sisters-in-law: Emma Ballard and Mary Ballard; 56 grandchildren; 99 great-grandchildren; 31 great-great grandchildren; special friends: Jennifer and Allison Gattis, Jimmy Smith, and Bill Matney, along with his friend and caregiver, Bobby Close, and his devoted four legged friend, Black.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife: Nina P. Vibbert Ballard; two sons, Frank Henry Ballard and Charles Richard Ballard, twin daughters: Fannie Lee and Freda Lou Ballard; six brothers: Hunter, Lesco, Talbert, Fred, Clarence “Mody”, and Marvin Ballard; two sisters: Mattie Ward and Ollie Dillard.
Funeral services will be held 12 noon Saturday at the Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home with burial in the Locust Grove Cemetery. Friends may call after 12 noon Thursday at the funeral home. The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Locust Grove Missionary Baptist Church; c/o Chris Spradlin, 136 Jared Tyler Road, Glasgow, KY 42141; envelopes are available at the funeral home.
uncle martin will be truly missed on this earth as he is now with our heavenly father our condolence’s to all
Martin was known as “Old Timed Preacher Man” ,Martin will be missed by all who knew him,
My Prayers are with the entire family. I know how much all his children loved him , He will be where he wanted to be with Nana He missed her so much , He always loved me and my family like his qwn ,,,YOU WILL BE MISSED ALWAYS! Love You all , Sheila
Pa was one of a kind man, he will truly be missed. he is now resting in peace with Ma and Richard and all the rest of the loved ones. All the family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
was a nice man took many pictures of his family and enjoy knowing him he will be missed by a lot of people rest in peace now
Pa the girls and I looked up to you and if you had not crossed paths my children and I may still be lost… But when you became my father in law we joined your cozy little church that didn’t know a stranger eventually my girls and I got saved and baptised by you and for that I thank you.. The girls love you as their own grandpa and learned a lot from you Josie says she would like to feed some rabbits and chickens with you one more time.. Until we cross paths again rest in peace..
thankful we got to know bro. martin even if for a short while. He was an inspiration to me and always had kind words of encouragement . In the coming months and years we will look back and remember and miss him ,prayers for all who knew and loved him . I believe he has finally made it home . Till we meet again.
Dearest Martha and family, I am so sorry for your loss.My heartfelt sympathies and prayers are headed your way.
Teddy I am sorry to hear of your Father passing, Part of the Joy of living is the acclimation of memory.
Prayers and sympathy for y’all. I will truly miss Pa. He was such a great man. He loved unconditionally. Rest in Peace, Pa! Love always.
pa was a very good man he will now be with ma and papa Richard . you are gone but never will you be forgetting .I love you all
Martin was a wonderful man. He was the one who married me and my husband back in 2001. He is one that I could honestly say I could see the Lord in him. I know he is rejoicing in heaven right now.
God bless
Jamie Faye England (pete englands daughter)
Bro. Martin was a special man. I was part of the family for over 15 yrs. The Ballard family is a very close family. Bro. Martin will be dearly missed by many To all the family: God be with each of you. Hang onto all the good memories and know he is walking the streets of gold. He will always live in your hearts. If I can help any of you in any way please let me know. Carolyn Phillips Fields Johnson
Martha and family so very sorry for your loss. Praying for you.
we loved old pa and will miss him so much casey especially but we know hes with jesus and old ma
Meeting this man truly changed my life, he was the most Christian man I knew, I’ll never meet another like him, Pa was definitely one of a kind!! He inspired everyone he met to be more devoted to The Lord & to have unconditional Faith!! I’ll keep his wise words in my heart forever as will my husband & our children!! We loved you so very much & you will be greatly missed!! My heart especially goes out to my Mother In Law Brenda Vincent.
Thinking of you and assured that God will give you the grace needed for today and the days ahead.
So sorry for your loss. He will greatly be missed.
Bro Ballard, was an inspiration to so many. We are so thankful, we could call him a true friend. We will never forget how much he means to us. It is a great loss to al who knew him. May God comfort all. We love you Brother Ballard.
mr. martin seems like a member of my family..i moved away in 1968 but I remember mr . martin always had his Bible in his hand.we all respected him and I know that everyone will truly miss him..may God bless the entire family…linda etherton newhouse, Knoxville tn
Br. Ballard so thankful we got to know him and he served god and spread his words to us at meshack for 30 years seen lost saved there during his words preaching .he enjoy more then anything was serving his master . he would tell us one thing during his time would be . get up and tell others what god has done for you( testified ) was something he would say . and lots more to us he was one of a kind .there will never be a preacher that was as close to god as he was . we will miss him and so glad I got to know and love him and his family . he will be so close to our hearts in many years to come . I will miss him coming to our house .and seeing him eat . .I told him he was going to live a long life as mosses did because god had a plan for him while he was on this earth . love you Br. Ballard.