Norma Gene Ballard

Norma Gene Ballard, 70, of Orange, Texas, passed away on May 18, 2016, at her home.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 20, 2016, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Officiating will be Reverend Brandon Hanson and Pastor Cody Ballard.

Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Born in Center, Texas, on October 1, 1945, she was the daughter of Joseph Hailey Denby and Verna (Wilburn) Denby. Norma was a bus driver for Orangefield Independent School District for 27 years. She was involved in the Bridge City Fire Department Ladies Auxillary and loved fishing, painting, camping, and dancing. Norma was an excellent shot. She enjoyed exploring caves and lived a very full life. She was a very good wife and mother, and was always there for her family when they needed her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ernest Denby; and sister, Annette Landry.

She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Verlin Doyel Ballard; children, Elwin “Bo” Ballard, Sr. and wife Tammy, of Mauriceville, Alieta Verna “Lee” Burns, of Orange, Joseph Adam “SoBig” Ballard and wife Shannon, of Bridge City, and Telicia Foster and husband Drew, of Bridge City; grandchildren, Christina Renee Wallace, Donald Ray Waller, Jr., Elwin Ray Ballard, Jr., Cody Kyle Ballard, Sara Lynn Ballard, Paul Moore, Jr., Melissa Lynn Overstreet, and Christina Stafford; 4 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Dennis Denby and wife Mar-D and Kathleen LaBlanc and husband Willard; and her special four legged friend, Sandy.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice for their love and care.