Memphis Loses a Man of Compassion, Great Educator
Neighborhood Christian Center’s Mr. Monroe Ballard
For the last forty years, Monroe Ballard, Sr. shared his life with others from a heart of compassion, care, and daily sacrifice. Focusing on the underserved in the Memphis community, Mr. Ballard served literally thousands of his neighbors year after year. Early last Friday morning, Mr. Ballard lost his battle with cancer.
Along with his wife, Dr. JoeAnn Ballard, Monroe oversaw the Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc (NCC) in 1978. Plans are in motion for a huge celebration this fall to recognize the 30 year anniversary of NCC, in particular the tireless efforts of the Ballards as they have remained at the helm of the organization. For thirty years, NCC has served the Memphis community, meeting the practical and spiritual needs of approximately 100,000 people each year. Plans are still in motion for the celebratory event; however, the event will now take on new meaning as this one-of-a-kind man is remembered.
“The time is long overdue to honor my parents for the work they’ve done for God in the Memphis community,” says NCC Administrative Director Ephie Ballard-Johnson who is also the Ballards’ oldest child. “My siblings and I grew up with other children in our home whom my parents treated like their own. While they weren’t our biological siblings, because of the way we saw my parents treat them with so much love; they became our brothers and sisters and still are to this day. All of the foster children are doing well and along with countless others touched by my parents, through their work at NCC, we are committed to serving the community today, continuing the legacy my parents started.”
Monroe was born on May 4, 1938 in Pocahuntas, Mississippi, to Seth and Lucille Ballard. He was one of eight siblings. He developed a compassionate heart by watching how his parents served others in the community and also developed a gift for teaching skills to others through his parents’ encouragement of his curious mind. He would use both of these attributes for the rest of his life.
After attending Piney Woods Country Life School Monroe joined the military and later earned a Bachelor’s degree from Alcorn State University. He then moved to Memphis in 1961 to begin his teaching career and later earned a Master’s degree in Special Education and Rehabilitation from the University of Memphis. Ballard was a devoted educator of inner-city children, teaching science at Douglas Elementary School for thirty years. His students remember him as a loving and innovative teacher who brought science to life through his unique approach. His effective approach was largely due to the fact that he was fascinated by the way things worked and passed on this fascination to his students.
His life’s work was with NCC, which began in 1978. He was still serving as the organization’s Director of Operations until his entrance to Baptist Hospital two weeks ago. The relational ministry approach of NCC actually began in the Ballard’s home. Starting in the 1960s as a young married couple, the Ballards brought disadvantaged children into their home and gave them hope, love and security while teaching them God’s way. Many of the young people who came into the loving home were Monroe’s students. Based in Memphis, NCC is modeled on the Ballards’ lifestyle of service, providing compassionate, Christ-centered ministry to the practical and spiritual needs of the city’s poor.
Ballard and the love of his life, JoeAnn Marshall married in 1966. In addition to his wife, Monroe is survived by four children, Ephie Ballard Johnson ( Rodney) , Linda Ballard Webster (Carlos), Monroe Ballard, Jr. (Janice) and Justin Blake Ballard, five grandchildren (Carmen Webster, Andre’ Johnson, Carlin Webster, Jonathan Johnson, and Carlton Webster), five remaining siblings, Seth Ballard, Jr. (Augusta – Deceased), Jannie Johnson (Lem), Samuel Ballard ( Florice), Mamie Crockett (Walter), Sylvester Ballard ( Evelyn), an aunt, Mamie Palmer Wiggins, the original set of foster children, Ester Britton, Ruby Bonds, Queen Knox, Mattie Neal, Mamie Benson, Arlene Buckley, Vera Dooley, Cynthia Thomas, Gladys Generette, Eric Wells, Lee Stewart, Rita Austin, Kim Reddick, Kimathi D. Street, 75 additional foster children, a number of nieces and nephews and a host of foster grandchildren who affectionately called him “Paw-paw.”
Memorial donations may be made to Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc. at 785 Jackson Ave., Memphis, TN 38107 or to the building fund at Friendship Nazarene Church, at 775 N Parkway, Memphis, TN 38105, a project Ballard was overseeing.
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