Rev. Charles Joseph Ballard

Reverend Charles Joseph Ballard Jr. went to be with his Lord and Savior, surrounded by the love of his family, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the age of 82. He was born at the Methodist Hospital in Memphis, TN on February 19, 1943. He graduated from Central High School in 1961, attended Memphis State University, and then went on to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Growing up in Memphis, Charles attended Lamar Heights Baptist Church where he met Beverly Ann Marshall. They were married September 1, 1961 until her passing in November 2019. Charles and Beverly adopted their only child, Krista, in May 1973, in Columbus, GA. Krista was truly a daddy’s girl. Their favorite times together were spent listening to music like, John Denver and the Doobie Brothers, and countless movies watched together through the years.

Charles was Minister of Education at several churches during his ministry, and leaves behind a legacy that will live on in the lives he has affected through his love and devotion to the Lord. He last served as Associate Pastor and Minister of Education at First Baptist Church of Maryville from 1989 through his second retirement in 2018. In true ministerial fashion, he could not stay retired either time, and continued to minister through his time serving as Chaplain with Blount Memorial Hospice.

In February 1993, Charles Ballard became known as Popop, his most cherished title. His greatest joy was being with his grandchildren and great grandsons.

At the tender age of 78, Charles found love again, and married Teresa Kelley on April 3, 2021. Charles loved people, a good story, a good joke, and Leonard’s Pit BBQ. He was a proud member of SMARC-Smoky Mountain Amateur Radio Club.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Joseph Ballard and Ruby Jane Williams Ballard, and is survived by his wife Teresa Kelley Ballard, daughter Krista Leigh Springer (Chris); grandchildren Kaitlin Leigh Fernandez (Marc), Wesley Vaughn Ledford (Grace); great grandsons Landon Thomas Fernandez, Ethan Charles Fernandez, and Charlie Marshall Fernandez; stepson, James Keels Kelley IV, stepdaughter, Heather Kincaid (Zach); brother-in-law James W. Curtiss (Susie), niece Whitney Roberts (Brent), nephew Will Curtiss (McColl); cousins Jerry Ballard (Tina), Janice Ballard; and a multitude of close friends. A special thanks to Blount Memorial Hospice for your wonderful care.

Family will receive friends Saturday April 5, 2025 from 1-3 at First Baptist Church of Maryville, service at 3pm and burial to follow at Grandview Cemetery. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com