Charlene Juanice Ballou

Charlene Juanice Ballou went to heaven on Monday March 31, 2025 at 534 a.m.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S Georgia St, Amarillo, TX 79110.

Born on December 13, 1937 in Floydada Texas to Charles Ryals and Louise Lawson Ryals she was the oldest of 2 children. She was raised in Amarillo where she went to school and was the first graduating class of Palo Duro High School.

She met the love of her life, James Alfred Ballou whom she married in 1976. They met while working at Pantex together. She brought 4 children, Jim, Kevin, Dana and Dea and he brought 3 children, Kim, Diane and Bill into the marriage. Together they blended the 2 families together with love and happiness. While there were some tough times the home was always filled with love and laughter.

Charlene and Jim left Pantex and went to work for Aramco in 1980 in Saudi Arabia. They worked there until they retired in 1992 and came back home to the states. They traveled extensively in the states to visit all the kids and grand kids.

She is proceeded in death by her mother and step father, Louise and John McKinney, her father Charles Ryals, her brother Charles Ryals, her nieces Sherry Ryals, Teri Ryals and Jackie Ryals and the love of her life Jim Ballou. 

She left behind her children, Jim and wife Tonya Stommel, Kevin Stommel, Dana and husband Mike Stilwell, Dea and husband Toby Platt, Kim Ballou, Diane and Joel Wassom and Bill Ballou. Grand Children, Kristina and husband Jeff Powell, Josh Breeding, Jason and wife Nubia Stommel, Meagan and husband Brian Toop, Mystia and husband Jeremy Hillis, Amanda and husband Joseph Perez, Kyle and wife Maddie Stommel, Kaitlyn, Devin and 15 great grand children. She will be missed not only by her family but all her friends and bridge buddies and many more.