Vera Heard Ballis, 96, of Beaumont, died Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont.

She was born on December 12, 1915, to Frances Clora Nolen Heard and James Addison Heard, in Pitkin, Louisiana. She received a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in 1938, and had been a resident of Beaumont for over sixty-five years.

Survivors include her daughter, Barbara Abel and her husband, Dalton, of Beaumont; son, John Ballis and his wife, Joni, of Houston; grandchildren, Sheri Parent, Lori Abel, John Abel, Brian Abel, Pete Ballis, Lila Heet, Reed Ballis, Jake Ballis, Lacy Ballis, and John Ballis, Jr.; sixteen great-grandchildren; brother, Lindsey Heard of DeRidder, Louisiana; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Metri John “Pete” Ballis.

A memorial service for Mrs. Ballis will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 14, 2012, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, with a gathering of her family and friends to follow in the church Parlor, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium.