Funeral service for Joyce Marie Ballard, 66, of Crane Hill will be 11 a.m. Thursday August 6th at Hanceville Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow the service at Hopewell Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday August 5th from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Hanceville Funeral Home.
Joyce Marie Ballard went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 3, 2026, surrounded by family.
Born on September 24, 1959, Joyce was the daughter of Jessie “Buster” Cochran and Daisy May Davis-Cochran. She was a member of Hanceville Assembly of God and loved her church family deeply.
No name could have suited Joyce more. She had a remarkable ability to find the blessing in even the hardest trials and to hold on to joy when circumstances gave her every reason not to. Her heart remained full of faith in God and gratitude through every season.
Joyce was strong, generous, and full of life. She loved to laugh, never met a stranger, and had a gift for making others feel welcome wherever she went.
Her family was her greatest joy. She believed deeply in the people she loved, saw their strength even when they could not see it themselves, and never stopped believing in who they could become. Joyce encouraged her children to be generous, to treat others as they wished to be treated and to pursue their goals. She also led by example, returning to college in her forties while working full time and earning her associate’s degree. Joyce especially cherished her grandchildren, treasured every moment with them, and took great pride in the people they were becoming.
During her final days, Joyce was lovingly cared for by her husband, who considered it a privilege to return even a small portion of the love and care she had given him throughout their life together. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on December 24, 2026.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Hobert Ballard; her children, Amanda Bentley, Brandy Pratt (Sam), and Adam Ballard (Laura); seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; and her sister, Shirley Hodge, and many loved nieces and nephews. And of course, Teddy, a sweet Yorkie, who managed to win Joyce over despite her vow to never love another fur baby after losing her precious Pomeranian, Remshot.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jessie “Buster” Cochran and Daisy May Davis-Cochran; her sisters, Mary Jane Ashwander, Betty Long, and Elaine McDowell; and her brother, Billy Cochran.
Generosity and love for others were at the very center of who Joyce was. To honor that legacy, we invite donations in her memory to the Good Samaritan Clinic of Cullman here Donate Now or by mail at 401 Arnold Street NE Suite A Cullman, AL 35055
Serving as pallbearers will be Adam Ballard, Austin Ballard, Skyler Lynn, Johnny Ashwander, Johnny McDowell, and Brett Jacobs.
