Beverly Joy Ballard

Beverly Joy Ballard, née Caswell, 84, of Fairview Heights, IL, born October 28, 1936, East St. Louis, IL, passed away after a brief illness surrounded by family on September 12, 2021 at Stafford Hospital in Stafford, Virginia.
Joy, to her family and friends, was born and raised in St. Clair County, Illinois. She found love at 18, married Edwin Ballard and started her life as the wife of a career Army man. She fully embraced the military life and travelled the world while raising their four children, Carmen, Rocky, Robin and Samantha.

Joy was a devoted wife and loving mother. She was also an accomplished piano player, an avid bridge player and was truly gifted at knitting, sewing and needlecraft. Her family and friends will remember her always for the hundreds of afghans, baby blankets, sweaters, shawls, scarves and hats she made for them. Joy loved to cook and was famous for her mac & cheese. She always brought a double serving to picnics and family events and always went home with an empty dish.

Joy collected many things but was most proud of her collection of eagles. They were displayed prominently on her fireplace mantel and throughout her home. She was a life-long General Hospital fan, never missing an episode since 1966. The eagle has landed for the last time.

She was preceded in death by her:

• Husband: Edwin D. Ballard
• Son: Timothy R. Ballard
• Granddaughter: Valerie J. Rettle
• Parents: Forrest and Opal, nee Bess, Caswell

Surviving are her:

• Daughters
  • Carmen Potter of Caseyville, IL
  • Robin Lee of Fredericksburg, VA
  • Samantha (Mark) Bailey of Ashburn, VA
• Eight grandchildren
  • Julie (Forrest) Bynum
  • Monica Rettle
  • Andrew Lee
  • Brian (Andrea) Lee
  • Adrian “Max” Bailey
  • Sean Bailey
  • Bret Bailey
  • Jude Atwood
• Four great-grandchildren
  • Kayleigh Ballard
  • Kayla Lee
  • Nathan Lee
  • Aubrey Lee
• Sister: Judith Winchester of Wanamingo, MN
• Brother: Larry (Sharon) Caswell of Fulton, MO
• Sister-in-law: Earlene (Jodi) Merrill of Belleville, IL
• Many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends

Memorials: Memorials may be made to the TreeHouse Wildlife Center (<https://www.treehousewildlifecenter.com/>) or the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/).

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m.; Thursday, September 23, 2021, at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m.; Thursday, September 23, 2021, at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois.

Live streaming can be viewed at time of service at  www.facebook.com/KurrusFH 

A private family interment will be held Friday, September 24, 2021, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.