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Jesse Ross "J.R" Ballew

Jesse Ross \"J.R.\" Ballew

April 5, 2012

Jesse Ross \"J.R.\" Ballew, 69, of Athens, died Thursday morning, April 5, 2012, at his residence.

A lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Jesse Leo and Letress Morgan Ballew, and was also preceded in death by one sister, Joy Ballew Snider; and seven brothers, Sam, Roy, Gene, Harlan, Otis, Raymond and Dennis Ballew.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Athens, where he served as a deacon, a member of the Adult Choir and a bus driver, and served on various other committees of the church. He was a 1962 graduate of McMinn County High School and had been associated with Mayfield Dairy Farms as a transport driver for 38 years until his retirement. He was an avid golfer.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Pat Dannel Ballew of Athens; one daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Stephen Davis of Ridgeland, S.C.; one son and daughter-in-law, Rodney and Donna Ballew of Gray; one granddaughter, Elizabeth Ballew; one grandson, Joseph Ballew; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Larry and Wanda Ballew of Cleveland, and Max Earl Ballew of Jacksonville, Ark.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church of Athens with Dr. Jason Clark officiating. Burial followed in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers were Carl Richeson, Todd Baines, Bill Sikes, Steve Baines, Marc Adams, Jim Majors, Eddie Morris, Buddy Kinard and Rodney Dunn. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Phillip the Worker Sunday School Class.

The family received friends from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the church.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church, 305 Ingleside Ave., Athens, TN 37303.

If you were unable to attend this service or visitation, sign the guest register at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com

Smith Funeral & Cremation Services of Athens served the family of Jesse Ross \"J.R.\" Ballew.