James Lavelle Ballinger

James Lavelle Ballinger, 82, of the Three Rivers Community passed away Sunday, November 8 at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Mr. Ballinger was born March 7, 1927 in Neshoba County, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Mose Ballinger, and Josephine (Milling) Ballinger, sister Thyra (Doris) Williams, his wife Martha Francis (Boler) Ballinger, two sons Freddy Allen Ballinger, and Tommy Joe Ballinger, and step-son Douglas Goff. Survivors include sisters Hilda (Doc) Crenshaw of Dixon, Jeffelett Watkins, and Johnnie Ruth (Bill)Hooper of Philadelphia, Mississippi, Queen Ina (Cyril) Hughes of Grass Valley, California; brothers Gerald (Caroline) Ballinger, of Forts Lake, Coy (Ina) Ballinger of Pascagoula, and Therrel (Doris) Ballinger of Evergreen, Alabama; his wife of 20 years Juanita (Havens) (Goff) Ballinger, daughter Barbara Carol (Ray) Watson of Wade, son Ronnie (Rhonda) Ballinger of Latimer, step-daughter Brenda (Ricky) (Goff ) Grafton of Bay Town, Texas; grandchildren Philip Watson of Ocean Springs, Matthew Ballinger of Huntsville, Alabama, Christine (Bill) Armstrong of Los Angeles, California, Lee (Amy) Ballinger of Pascagoula, Shawn Ballinger, and Joey (Nicki) Ballinger of Mobile, Alabama, James (Teresa) Ballinger of D’Iberville, and Jimmy Ray (J.R.) Ballinger of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, step grandchildren Rebekah (Grafton) Shaffer of Pennsylvania, Josh Grafton, and Nick Grafton of Bay Town, Texas; great grandchildren T.J. Ballinger, Calen Ballinger, and Jacob Ballinger: numerous nieces and nephews. He retired after 32 years as a pipe welder from Ingalls Shipbuilding. He was an Army veteran of World War II. After retirement, he followed his passion, gardening. His tomatoes were sought after by friends and neighbors county wide. Until his illness, he was an avid worker at Caswell Springs United Methodist Church. He was a member of Caswell Springs United Methodist church. Visitation will be November 11, 10:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at Caswell Springs United Methodist Church. A graveside service will be Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 12:00 a.m. at the Neshoba Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made either to the Caswell Springs United Methodist Church Building Fund or to the Wade Baptist Church Building Fund. Arrangements by Holder-Wells Funeral Home, Moss Point, MS.

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James Lavelle Ballinger

March 7, 1927 - November 8, 2009