Nellie Ballard

Nellie Joy Hardy Ballard was born in Springdale, Utah, on November 10, 1931, to Alvin Carl and Della Humphries Hardy.  She returned to Heaven to reunite with family and friends on May 30, 2015.

Nellie had a wonderful childhood making lifelong friends and lasting memories. She loved school, completing through the seventh grade in Springdale and then attending in Hurricane.  She was very active and involved in high school life, participating in: operettas, band, chorus, orchestra, class plays, traveling assemblies, music festivals and on the paper staff, graduating from Hurricane High School in 1949.  She received a music scholarship to attend BAC (currently SUU) in Cedar City, Utah, and flourished there also.

On August 13, 1953, Nellie married Larry Afton Ballard in Springdale, Utah.  They lived in Salt Lake City for the first nine years of marriage.  Nellie loved living in Salt Lake, but her heart was in Southern Utah, where they returned to attend to family matters, spending the rest of their days in Rockville.

Nellie was blessed with a beautiful voice and was very talented.  She wrote, produced and directed plays for the school, community and church.  She sang in “Handel’s Messiah.” She was also able to bring comfort to those in mourning by singing in over 260 funerals.  She was also involved with community affairs, the Rockville Cemetery and the Rockville Pipeline Department.  One of her greatest passions was compiling information and writing family histories.  Her children have grown to love and know their ancestors because of her diligence in making sure this was done.

Her testimony and her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meant the world to her.  She was a stalwart disciple up to the very end.  Her family was of utmost importance to her.  She cared deeply for each and every one of them.  Never was a birthday, anniversary or special occasion forgotten.  Not only did she never forget family occasions, but she also never forgot those of friends or Ward members.  Many have been touched by her service of kindness; be it a card, meal, gift or phone call.

Survivors include her children: Teresa (Sheldon) Clark, Bruce (Linda) Ballard, Ken (Jody) Ballard, Tony (Janet) Ballard and Brother: William Mack Hardy, 21 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren.

Nellie was proceeded in death by her: Husband, Parents, and Brothers: Alvin Wesley Hardy, Bruce Hardy, Carl Devon Hardy and Great Granddaughter Arrabelle Derrwaldt.

Funeral services will be at the Springdale LDS Church 1584 Zion Park Blvd, June 5th, at 11:00 AM, with a viewing from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM.  Interment will be in the Rockville City Cemetery.

The family would like to thank all of those that have given service to Mom throughout these last few years. We are very grateful for everything that was done for her.