Jean Elizabeth Ballard Gibbs, 91, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont.
Jean Elizabeth Ballard was born in Goose Creek, Texas, on June 14, 1921. Her father, whom was working in the oil fields in Anahuac, was Glynn Franklin Ballard. He married Jean’s mother, Josephine Mabel Barrow, on August 11, 1920, in Beaumont, Texas after returning from France and fighting in World War I.
Jean’s little sister, Margaret Ann Ballard, was born in 1928, and died of leukemia on April 18, 1938. Jean was close to her little sister and the death was a very sad part of her life. It later influenced her poetic writings. Jean always exhibited a talent toward writing. Her family has a compilation of her numerous poems.
Jean knew A.P. during their tenure at South Park High School. They started dating during their senior year where Jean was in the South Park High School Drum and Bugle Corps, and A.P. played sports.
Jean married her husband of fifty-seven years on the 16th of November 194l. Their first child, Jo Carolyn was born June 20, 1943, second daughter, Jean Madolyn, was born August 24, 1946, and their third daughter, Glynda Elizabeth, was born October 17, 1953. Jean was a stay at home mom and devoted all her time and energy to her husband, daughters and all their friends until she started working at BaptistHospital in 1965. She worked in the business office at the hospital for twenty years where she acquired a group of lifelong friends.
Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Ancil Parish Gibbs, Jr. (1998); father, Glynn Franklin Ballard (1964); mother, Josephine Barrow Ballard (1995); sister, Margaret Ann Ballard (1938); one grand-daughter, Gretchen Elizabeth (2006); two sons-in-law, Walter M. Sekaly and Jay LeBeouf, both in 2010.
Survivors include her three daughters; son-in-law, Ralph Lyn Plummer; grandchildren, Darold, Jessica, Cody, Travis, Jackie, and Laurie; and great-grandchildren, Brandon, Taylor, Regan, Alexandria, and Adrian; and many relatives and friends.
A gathering of her family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 20, 2012, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 21, 2012, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
