Marijane (Long) Ballard

Marijane Ballard, of Amarillo died Sunday, December 3, 2023, just five days short of her 96th birthday.

Celebration of life will be at a later date.

Marijane, "Janie", was born Dec. 8, 1927 to Emma Dymond Long and Paul Chancellor Long in Wilmington, Ohio.  She grew up with her two brothers, Paul and George in Xenia, Ohio. In high school she met the love of her life, Robert E. Ballard. They were married on July 3, 1948, and moved to Tempe, Arizona. There she graduated from Arizona Teacher's College (now ASU) with a Bachelor of Science and eventually decided to become a teacher. For the next 30 years she taught 6th grade at Madison Rose Lane and Madison Park Schools in Phoenix, Arizona and was loved by students and parents alike.

Always ready to travel, Janie did just that. She and Bob were fortunate enough to travel around the world.  But what she loved the most was spending summers in the White Mountains of Arizona. She and Bob built a summer home in Pinetop where they resided every summer for 38 years.  She enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, and playing golf. She loved to collect Native American jewelry and artwork, and volunteered as a docent for the Heard Museum in Phoenix.

In 2004, Janie and Bob wanted to be closer to their daughters and moved to Amarillo. They became members of the Home Builders Sunday school class at Polk Street United Methodist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Dr. Sheryl L. Williams and Nancy A. Lopez and three granddaughters, Leanna M. Lopez, Dr. Jessica D. Marshall-Williams and Emily S. Williams.

Family suggests memorials be to Snack Pack for Kids or to Animal Rescue Shelter, Inc.