Ellen Ballard

Ellen Christine Ballard, 97, of Cherokee Village, Arkansas, died peacefully December 30, 2017, surrounded by her surviving children and the wonderful staff at EagleCrest Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Ash Flat, Arkansas. She was born June 7, 1920, in Blackwood, New Jersey, to Jens and Ragnihild (Flornes) Hopen. She grew up in Blackwood, NJ and joined the U.S. Department of War shortly after WWII began. Ellen met her first husband, Gordon Clarkson, in Jamaica; he was killed in action in the Pacific in 1944. Ellen then met and married Army Captain John Ballard in Egypt in 1945. Together they had four children and enjoyed 57 years of marriage. They were active residents of Cherokee Village for 37 years. Ellen loved gardening, bowling, playing golf and bridge, and keeping up with current events by spending time with her extended family and many friends. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Richard Ballard, Senior (2003); a son, John R. Ballard, Jr.; brothers, Almar, John, and Roy Hopen; and a sister, May Vaughters. Survivors include her children: Nancy Ballard of Cherokee Village, Neal (Nora) Ballard of Brush Prairie, Washington, and Julie (Lou) Sagatov of Falls Church, Virginia; grandchildren: Yuri (Michelle) Sagatov, Dimitri Sagatov, and Matthew Ballard; and great-grandchildren, Alina and James Sagatov. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, January 27, at Spring River Presbyterian Church in Hardy with Kay Wiggins officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society are encouraged. The family extends special thanks to Dr. George Jackson and his staff. Arrangements are with Tri-County Funeral Home of Highland.