Joan Elaine Morrell Ballard

Joan Elaine Morrell Ballard, beloved mother, grandmother and sister, moved to her eternal home after a long illness. She is now at the right hand of her Heavenly Father.

Joan was born at home in Anniston, Alabama on January 1, 1951 to Theo Willard Morrell and Lexie Mae Harper. She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Donnie Willard and Jerry Wayne. She is survived by her brother, Jeff (Theresa), and sister, Judy, along with nieces, great-nieces and nephews. She is survived by her son, Ronald Wayne "Ronny" Howell (Shannon), and daughter, Brandy Ballard Hydrick; grandchildren Emma Howell, Lexie Mae Hydrick, Oscar Matthew Hydrick, and Hayden Howell; and great-grandson Alexander "Banks" Porter

Joan enjoyed a long career in healthcare administration, where her intelligence, exceptional organizational skills, and strong work ethic earned the respect and admiration of colleagues which in many cases became lifelong friends. A gifted administrator and bookkeeper, she approached both her professional and personal life with precision, high standards, and attention to detail. She retired in 2015 to enjoy more time with her children and grandchildren in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Joan was known for her immaculate home, which reflected the care she put into everything she did. She took great pride in keeping a beautiful house, where she preferred things neat, orderly and done properly. She demonstrated that how you cared for your space said something about how you cared for the people in it. She was always welcoming, her table always ready for guests, and her attention to detail obvious in everything she touched.

An extraordinary cook, Joan believed every memorable meal began with the finest ingredients. She planned menus days in advance, carefully considering every detail before sharing them with those fortunate enough to be invited to the festivities. Preparing a holiday meal involved multiple grocery store trips and meticulous preparation. Her fried okra was legendary, and her Christmas Eve meals became treasured family traditions. Joan’s table was always beautifully set, and full of love, laughter, at least one game and life-long memories.

Joan possessed a natural elegance that never depended on circumstance. Whether dressed for a ladies lunch, an evening movie or barefoot in the kitchen wearing a well-worn Christmas apron, she carried herself with unmistakable grace. She was direct, honest, and never afraid to tell someone what they needed to hear. Her practical advice, keen observations, and strong convictions left a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to know her. Her family will miss her many opinions and the thoughtful wisdom that accompanied them.

Joan remained sharp as a tack throughout her life. She was intelligent, quick-witted and blessed with a distinctive dry sense of humor. She loved British television, daily Wordle competitions, games of Rook and countless rounds of Mahjongg. More often than not, she bested her grandchildren, friends and anyone else courageous enough to play with her. She was an exceptional Mahjongg teacher but had little tolerance for poor game etiquette. Her children and grandchildren know this first hand. The Wednesday before she passed she completed the New York Times mini crossword in 38 seconds. She was a force in all things.

Joan was a devoted daughter, speaking with her mother, Lexie Mae, nearly every day and rarely going more than a couple of weeks without seeing her. She cared for her faithfully through the challenges of aging and illness. She was also a loving sister, a loyal friend, and a strong, dedicated single mother who worked tirelessly to provide not only what her children needed, but most often what they wanted as well.

Nothing brought Joan more joy than her family. She adored her children and grandchildren, cherished the time she spent with them, and took a genuine interest in their lives. Her wisdom, humor, strength, and unwavering love helped shape generations of her family. Though she ruled with an iron fist, she did so with a generous heart, and those who knew her best understood how deeply she cared.

Joan was a strong woman, a faithful daughter, a devoted mother, and a proud grandmother. Her family is better because of her example, and her memory will always be cherished.

Friends and loved ones are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Joan on Sunday, June 14th at 2:00 pm at Myers Park Country Club, 2415 Roswell Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina 28209

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Silent Images at silentimages.org