Glynn Dell Ballew, 91, a longtime resident of Waco, passed away, Thursday, May 16, 2013 in a local nursing home. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Monday, May 20, 2013 at Bosqueville Baptist Church with the Reverend Brad Herridge officiating. Interment will follow at Coolidge Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 19th at Connally/Compton Funeral Directors.
Mrs. Ballew was born on November 10, 1921 in Coolidge, Texas to Quint and Pearl Wylie Dunn. She graduated from Coolidge High School and Westminster Junior College in Tehuacana. Mrs. Ballew received her Bachelor and her Master's degree from Baylor University. She was a career educator teaching for over 50 years; teaching in Marlin, Bosqueville and Midway. Mrs. Ballew was designated a Master Teacher by the Texas Education Association. She was a longtime and devoted member of Bosqueville Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school and contributed endless hours of volunteer activities. Mrs. Ballew married the love of her life, T. Bennie Ballew and he preceded her in death in 1982. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and her sisters, Buena Pearl Beene and Neldra Ruth Carpenter.
Survivors include her son, Travis Ballew and his wife, Donna of Red Bank, New Jersey, granddaughter, Amanda Ballew also of Red Bank, niece, Nancy Keith and her husband, Eddie of Dallas, great niece, Nicole Keith of Dallas and great nephew, Robert Keith of Dallas.
Memorials may be made to the Coolidge Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 264, Coolidge, Texas 76635-0084.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
May 29, 2013
Gary Fetner
What a great, hard, demanding teacher. The grade that I am most proud of in all my school years is the "A" I made on a report in her class. I knew I had earned it.
May 26, 2013
Mrs. Ballew was a great teacher and friend. I had her as a Freshman in Midway. Tough but so loving in her own way. She taught Marvin and was later employed by him when he took over for M.T. Rice. I remember the first day she walked into Midway which was then located in Hewitt in a two story building. She was so little and her red hair was glowing.
She will be missed by many.
If there is an address for Travis I would like to have for Marvin Dameron.
My heart goes out to Travis and the family.
Mary Mooney
Speegleville, Texas
May 23, 2013
Karen Cox
Mrs. Ballew was my 6th grade teacher ar Midway Elementary in 1973. The year I had her my father was diagnosed with lung cancer and had to have surgery to remove his right lung. She asked me each day in class how my father was doing and if I was doing okay. At the time I thought she was "nosy" but as I grew up I realized what an amazing person she was to care enough to ask. My father did well and came to work at the school in the janitorial/maintenance department until his passing in 1995. He never forgot Mrs. Ballew and always spoke highly of her even after her retirement. Mrs. Ballew and I exchanged Christmas cards for many years after my graduation and I always enjoyed her cards and notes. As it turned out, she was the best of them all. She taught me so much in the year she was my teacher. One thing we had in common was our love of animals. She was feisty with a gentle touch. I will never forget you, Mrs. Ballew.
May 22, 2013
Steve Rosen
I kept in touch with her up until a few years ago. She always said "Dynamite comes in small packages!" She was right! She gave with her whole heart... And she wasn't afraid to make you use your head... Even at your own expense and embarrassment. What other 4'10" woman could get your attention like she could?? RIP Mrs. Ballew! And she would tell you... "I'm not Ms. - I'm Mrs. Ballew!" The angels have retired the mould.
May 22, 2013
Karen Russell
Mrs. Ballew was a great example of Christ's love to all she met. We met her in 1995 at Bosqueville Baptist Church. Words can not express the love we felt for this Godly Lady. You will be deeply missed by all.
May 21, 2013
Linda Rodgers-Coleman
I am so saddened to her of her death. However, not having seen her in many years, was happy to her she she had lived a long life. She was my teacher in 6th grade at Midway Elementary. I will always remember her telling us that she might be small, but that dynamite came in small packages. She was a wonderful teacher, and I learned so many things that have carried me through life. May God be with her family and friends during this time.
...Linda Rodgers Coleman (MHS '67)
May 21, 2013
Nancy Carpenter Keith
My aunt G.D. Ballew was so generous and such a caring person. When I was in school, she always gave me paper and school supplies. Then, when my children (Nicole and Robert) were school age, she insisted on giving them paper and supplies whenever we visited. She always encouraged them to do good in school. Aunt G.D., my mother, and Aunt B.P. we're so much fun when we gathered for family meals and occasions. After she retired from teaching the first time, she started making pies and she made one of the best chocolate pies I have ever eaten. We will miss you so much but it is a comfort to know you are with Uncle Bennie, your beloved sisters, your parents, and all your beloved pets.
May 21, 2013
Keith Hall
The strict and loving teachers at Midway. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Ballew!
--The Hall family
May 20, 2013
Melodie Holder
We are neighbors of Ms. Ballew and I can't tell you how much my little boys (5 and 3) loved her.
She was so patient and loving to sit with them outside for hours looking at rocks etc.
She loved her kitties and took care of them all so well. She had such a big heart for someone so small and feisty! We will miss her so much!
May 20, 2013
Lovely, lovely ceremony today. I told you I had put in my contact info, bot don't believe I did. Am including it now.
May 20, 2013
Amy (Sayles) Daskoski
A wonderful teacher a amazing woman, who lived a long and fulfilling life. Funny how you think different about someone after they are no longer your teacher. I enjoyed stopping by to check on you .But in school I dreaded going to your class.. bosqueville...
May 20, 2013
Renee Olvera Painter
I had Mrs. Ballew in elementary & Jr. High at Bosqueville ISD, I would see her at the gorcery store and she always remembered who I was and was always to kind. What an awesome lady! God Bless her and and family!
May 20, 2013
Donald Alsup
So sorry for your loss. I will always remember her for saying "Dynamite comes in small packages", and boy was she right. I know God will welcome her with open arms.
May 20, 2013
lauren davis
You were an incredible person growing up you and Louise were like and extra set of moms you were a great teacher and person inside and out of school. You had so much to teach and tell and I respected you so much growing you ment alot to me I'm so sorry to see you go but I know your with your father
May 20, 2013
Hal Pledger
What a lovely lady! Always smiling, always encouraging. My condolences to the family.
May 19, 2013
Nicole Moore (Keith)
Mrs. Ballew was my great aunt in title but she was so much more to me than that. She was another grandmother whom I loved and enjoyed visiting often. I followed in her footsteps and became a teacher and was delighted she got to see my first classroom. I will miss her fiery spirit, her warm smile, and her chocolate pie. I wish we could be there to celebrate her life in person, but we are sending our love- Nicole and Randy
May 19, 2013
Rick Grimes
What an incredible lady. I had Mrs. Ballew in the 6th grade at Midway. I was fortunate to have had many outstanding teachers at Midway, but I have always considered Mrs. Ballew the best. She was without a doubt, the hardest and most disciplined. It was a great class and I think that everyone that had her has an appreciation for all that we learned. I still recall things from that class. When I was in Freshman English at Baylor, I am sure that I knew more grammar than anyone else in the class. We diagramed sentences FOREVER in her class. I can still diagram sentences as a result. There are so many things that I remember ..... you don't write on the bottom line of the page.... when using numerals, they go INSIDE the margin. Thank you Mrs. Ballew....and Mr. Ballew for all that you taught us. If I am not mistaken, Marvin Dameron had Mrs. Ballew. What a wonderful teaching legacy. My condolences to Travis and his family.
May 19, 2013
What an incredible lady. I had Mrs. Ballew in the 6th grade at Midway. I was fortunate to have had many great teachers at Midway and feel very fortunate for that, but Mrs. Ballew was the best. She was by far the hardest teacher that I ever had and I learned more from her than from any teacher. I will guarantee that when I was in freshman English at Baylor, I new more grammar than anyone else in the class. We diagramed sentences FOREVER in her class. I believe that everyone that had her as a teacher believes that they were fortunate in having her. If I remember correctly, even Marvin Dameron had her....??? I saw her a few of years ago in HEB and she looked and acted exactly the same. Thank you Mrs. Ballew for everything. My condolences to Travis and his family.
May 19, 2013
Deborah (Dodd)Quinn
She was a fabulous person to know. When I would see her out and about she would always ask about my son even though it had been years since he was in her class. She would ask, "how's our Andy doing"? A special person!
May 19, 2013
Atrium Of Bellmead Staff
I will miss our talks and your personality Ms. Ballew! The Atrium is too quiet without you there. So blessed we got to know you!
May 19, 2013
Jennifer Gallery
You were a huge inspiration and support to me. God Bless you and your family. Thank you for being a one of a kind LADY and teacher.
Jennifer Gradel-Gallery
May 19, 2013
Carol Lucas Granger
What an incredible woman. I was in her English class and homeroom in 6th grade at Midway Middle School. She was strict and determined that we would speak and write proper English. She had a huge impact on my writing, and I've never forgotten her. She was so tiny and yet ever in control of the classroom. Behind that tough exterior was a heart of gold. She really did want her students to go out into the world and succeed and did her part by making sure we could present ourselves as polite and educated young people. She was without a doubt one of the best teachers I ever had! God bless her family and may they find comfort in the knowledge that she touched the lives of so many. Rest in peace, Mrs. Ballew. Yes ma'am you taught us well.
May 19, 2013
Donna Zemanek
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Family of Ruth Adams, Calvin & Mildred Adams, Jackie Hawkins:
Donna Adams Zemanek
Janet Adams Slaughter
May 19, 2013
Verlon Schoff
Mrs. Ballew taught me in 7th grade at Bosqueville Elementary.I remember her as small,red hair, and slim.She taught my sister, June also, and she loved her. they both had the same shade of hair. I remember her as a good teacher, kind of shy. I know she will be missed very much, our prayers go out to her loved ones. Verlon Schoff(Reese)
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