Kathy Ballard

Heaven gained one of its gentlest angels as Kathy Joanne Ballard (Bishop), age 72, passed peacefully into eternal rest on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in her beloved hometown of Cleveland, Tennessee-the place where her story began and where her journey came full circle.

For Kathy, family was everything. She lived and breathed for the ones she loved, pouring her whole heart into raising her children, Christopher Eric Ballard and Candace Elica Ballard. That love only grew with the blessing of grandchildren: Eric Christopher Ballard (Whitney), Katherine Rene' Ballard (Billy), and Kayla Nicole Martin. In her later years, her great-grandchildren-Henley, Huxley, and Hixon Ballard-became her joy, her laughter, and her light, bringing happiness to every single day. Along with her children, Kathy leaves behind her best friend and lifelong companion, Herman Everett Ballard Jr. ("Snooks"), whose love and devotion brought her comfort, laughter, and strength throughout her life.

Kathy was born on March 30, 1953, the cherished daughter of Wilbur Bishop Sr. and Marjorie Jane Bishop. She was blessed with siblings who shaped her earliest memories: Wilbur Bishop Jr., Wayne Bishop, and Joyce Green. She now joins her parents and brothers in eternal rest, leaving behind a lifetime of love, resilience, and shared memories that continue to bind the family together.

She worked faithfully for more than two decades at McKee Foods, where her dedication and quiet determination earned her the respect of all who knew her. Even after facing disability, Kathy's strength and grace never wavered.

A woman with an artist's soul, Kathy found beauty in her craft. Through ceramics, she poured her creativity into her hands, shaping pieces that carried her spirit. She taught not only art, but patience, kindness, and the joy of creating something meaningful.

Kathy's life was defined by love-pure, unconditional, and steadfast. She had a way of making everyone feel like family, embracing others with open arms and a heart that never judged. To be loved by Kathy was to be seen, cherished, and held close. She was a devoted mother, a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, a treasured sister and friend, and a beloved companion.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Signature Health Care and Hospice of Chattanooga, who cared for Kathy with compassion and dignity, becoming part of her story in her final chapter.

Kathy never let anyone walk out the door without saying, "I love you." Those three words were her legacy-her promise, her gift, and her truth. We will carry them always, stitched into our hearts.

As the sun sets over the Tennessee hills she so dearly loved, we know her light still shines. It glows in every act of kindness, every moment of grace, and in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Kathy's memory in the most fitting way: share love freely. Be kind, call a friend, help a neighbor, hug your family. That is what she would have wanted most.

"She taught us love without end, and that is the gift she leaves behind."