Pastor Joe Frederick Ballard

Joe Frederick Ballard, 82, of South Charleston, WV passed away peacefully at home at 8:06 am Wednesday August 13, 2025, with his wife and daughter by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sebert & Edrie Ballard; wife Marilyn McKeny Ballard; daughter Amy Jo Ballard; brother Larry Ballard; and niece Susan Ballard-Shreve.

Joe was born June 4, 1943, in Madison, WV where he lived and attended school at Hopkins School and Scott High School. Accepted early into West Virginia University, he continued his lifelong love of music playing trumpet in the WVU Pride of West Virginia marching band while pursuing his degrees in music education. Upon graduating and completing his Master’s in Music Education from WVU, his career began as the first band director for the newly built Williamstown, WV high school. He then returned to southern West Virginia and continued in multiple positions including Assistant Band Director to his Uncle Don Elkins at Logan High School.

While at Logan, he met and married his first wife, Marilyn, an elementary school teacher, in 1968. Not long afterward, he was drafted into the United States Army and stationed at Fort Knox in Bardstown, KY. Joe traveled around the eastern US playing TAPS for funerals of soldiers not making it home from the war in Vietnam. He was eventually discharged and returned to Logan where he accepted the position of Band Director for Logan Junior High School- a position he held until he retired in 1996. He also helped at the family automobile dealership, selling cars for his father-in-law, Willard McKeny at Milne Pontiac in Logan.

A member and deacon of the West Logan Missionary Baptist Church, Joe sang baritone in many choirs and cantatas in the area and participated in various musical events locally. He continued his education via Marshall University, receiving a degree in vocational education administration. He then began and completed his studies in Bible from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. He became involved in the Gideons International in the Logan area, passing out bibles to hundreds of elementary school students and participating in local events. He was also the adult male Sunday School class teacher and choir director at WLMBC.

In 1987, Joe accepted a position as the pastor of Gordon Missionary Baptist Church- a title he held for 25 years. During this time, he also served as pastor of the Mountain Missionary Baptist Church in Harts, WV. He spent many Sundays successfully juggling up to three services between the two churches. He also became involved for many years in teaching adult bible classes to inmates at the Southwestern Regional Jail, leading many to Christ during their incarcerations as well as teaching these young Christians God’s Word and how to live godly lives in challenging situations.

Joe became a ham radio operator and enthusiast also during this time, serving several terms as president of the Logan County Amateur Radio Club. He developed friendships with radio operators all across the United States and abroad while participating in club activities in Logan and elsewhere. He had a lifelong love of all things automobile and could name the make and model of nearly any vehicle encountered on the highway. He helped his brother Larry with his car lot in Danville, WV, often traveling to and from automobile auctions in Columbus, OH and Statesville, NC to deliver and retrieve automobiles.

After the passing of his first wife, Marilyn, Joe later met and married Deanna Carper in 2007. They relocated from Logan County to South Charleston, WV. In 2012, he accepted a position as pastor of the Fairlawn Baptist Church in Dunbar, WV, a post he held until his passing. While at Fairlawn, Joe conducted many activities for church members and local residents including vacation bible schools and supporting his dedicated parishioners in fundraising endeavors. He continued to serve in his role as pastor well into his final days, preaching his last sermon less than three weeks before his passing. Joe’s greatest passion was for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone he encountered- and teaching God’s Word especially concerning Bible prophecy.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 18 years, Deanna Carper Ballard; daughters Jennifer Ballard, Jacqueline Garrett, and Kelli (Michael) Wetzel; one brother, Terry (Janet) Ballard; one sister, Jenny Ballard; 6 grandchildren- Kiela (Jeff) Lester, Jordan (Taylor) Garrett, Morgan (Jon) Garrett-Horn, Eden (Rudy) Cantu, Liam Wetzel, and Olivia Wetzel; 8 great-grandchildren- Leo Lester, Noah Lester, Boone Garrett, Emersyn Horn, Miles Horn, Avery Horn, Gabe Cantu & Emma Cantu; and one uncle- Don (Elnora) Elkins; as well as a host of beloved extended family, friends, and current/former parishioners and students.

Services will be held on Saturday August 16, 2025, at Handley Funeral Home in Danville, WV. Family visitation will begin at 11 am followed by general visitation and fellowship at 12 pm, and funeral services commencing at 2 pm with the Reverend John Godby and Reverend Justin Baisden officiating. Burial will follow the funeral service at Highland Memory Gardens in Logan, WV.

The family would like to extend their eternal gratitude to Joe’s healthcare team both at CAMC and Duke University where he received truly exceptional and loving care. A very special thanks to his primary physician, Dr. Elizabeth Young, and his Heaven-sent personal caregiver, Micah Adkins who delivered the sweetest care to him in his final few weeks of life.

For those wishing to make a contribution in Joe’s memory, the family requests donations be made to the Gideons International- for assistance in providing God’s Word to many in need.