Funeral services for Delbert Lawson Ballard (79) were held on January 29, 2014 at the First Baptist Church of Quitman.  Delbert Ballard was born in the family home in Clardy community in Lamar County on January 31, 1934.  His parents were Virgie and Alvin Ballard.  He was the second son followed by two more brothers. 

He attended local schools and graduated from East Lamar High School in 1952.  Following graduation, he attended Paris Junior College and Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches.

His life was filled with sports, playing basketball in elementary, high school, junior and senior college.  His greatest honor was being the captain of each of these teams.  He was a defensive player - not always scoring points but delivering the ball to those who did.  He played much bigger than his 6 foot size.  He also played tennis and baseball and later golf. 

It was only natural that he became a coach.  His competitive spirit made him a competitive coach.  His first job was at Talco, where he helped with football in addition to basketball.  Then he came to Quitman - HOME.  After 18 years of coaching in Quitman, he took on another hat, sixth grade teacher and then junior high principal.  He loved his job, and he loved his basketball and football teams.  In addition to excelling on the basketball court, he was a championship fisherman and golfer who enjoyed chasing the big hawgs and birdies.

He was involved in community activities, serving on the Quitman Youth Foundation Board, the Quitman Hospital Board, City Council and various committees.  He was a charter member of the Quitman - Lake Fork Kiwanis Club and a 55 year member of First Baptist Church.  He and Mary were chosen Quitman Citizens of the Year.

He married Mary Bryant in 1954 and they had four children, who followed in their parents' footsteps as teachers.  Their children are Gaye Ellison and husband Mark, Robin Ballard and wife Dana, Teresa Gambill and husband Danny, Chrystal Ballard Smith and husband Darrin.  They had nine grandchildren, three of whom are teachers, and three great-grandchildren completed his loving family.

He is survived by all of these family members along with his wife of 60 years, Mary Ellen Bryant Ballard and three brothers, Dawson, Tony (Karen) and Mike (Janie); and along with much loved cousins, nieces, nephews and many, many good friends.