Margaret Armstrong Ballard

Margaret Armstrong Ballard, 86, of Little Rock, went to be with the Lord and with her beloved husband on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. Born Oct. 11, 1925, she met the love of her life, Marion C. Ballard, in her hometown of Rison, Arkansas on July 26, 1941. It was love at first sight and they married only weeks later on Sept. 13, 1941.They spent almost 70 wonderful years together, and she was by his side through all of them, not only as pastors wife but as a true partner. She was a constant source of strength and unity to him and to his congregations as he ministered throughout Arkansas. She was heartbroken when he passed away in February and never fully recovered from the grief of losing him.

Margaret was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and she made the best biscuits around, Mamaws biscuits as they were famously known. She was the true matriarch of the family and instilled a strong sense of love, faith, compassion and perseverance in her children and grandchildren, as her lasting legacy.

She is survived by three daughters; Marilyn Logan of Roland, Donna Hoffmon and husband Vernon of Beebe, and Rebecca Sabounchi and husband Farid of Dallas and an adopted daughter, Bobby McIntyre of Little Rock; four grandchildren; Brent Atkinson and wife LeeSa, Shelly Tapp and husband Spencer, Lance Logan and wife Lori, and Melanie Logan; six great-grandchildren; Spence and Mattie Tapp, Marcus and Lucas Logan, and Elijah and Noah Atkinson; brother, John Armstrong and wife Ann of Kansas City, Missouri; sister, Nedra Roberts of Rison, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband; Marion, their first born infant daughter, Glenna Faye, her parents, Jesse Walker and Mattie Emma Armstrong, and her son-in-law, Bill Logan.

Visitation will be at Little Rock West Assembly of God (formerly Maumelle Assembly) Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral service in the same location at 11 a.m. Saturday morning. A second visitation and brief service will be held at the Buie Funeral Home Chapel in Rison at 3 p.m. on Saturday, with burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Rison, where she will be laid to rest next to Daddy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to AG U.S. Missions for Water Wells in Africa, 1445 N. Booneville Avenue, Springfield, Missouri. 65802-1894, Hillcrest Childrens Home, Hot Springs, Arkansas or your local church. Arrangements by Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870) 325-6216.