Mary Helen Ballard Cecil, 102, died Friday, May 16, 2025, at her daughter’s home.
She was born to John Raymond and Mary Lilly (Newton) Ballard on Feb. 24, 1923, in Nelson County
She married Joseph Oscar Cecil at Holy Cross Catholic Church on April 17, 1942. She lived in the Holy Cross area during her childhood and graduated from Holy Cross High School in 1941. After graduating, she worked for several local distilleries, several department stores in Louisville and the powder plant in Indiana. She demonstrated a committed devotion to her Lord. She fiercely loved and cared for her family.
The family would like to thank Rhonda Heywood, everyone from Helping Hands and Hosparus, Marsha, Christina and Kim for all the loving care they provided.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Oscar Cecil; her parents, John Raymond and Lillie Newton Ballard; one daughter, Joyce Leiphon formerly of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; four sisters, Gertie Thompson, Iola Osbourne, Pauline Lyle and Mary Jean Ballard; nine brothers, Gus Ballard, Phillip Ballard, Joseph Ballard, Leo Ballard, Bernard Ballard, James Ballard, Baby Leo Ballard, and Bro. Earl Ballard; and one grandson, Travis Street.
She is survived by five daughters, Janice Cecil of Bardstown, Gail Cecil of Louisville, Susan Christianson (David) Palm of Okeechobee, Fla., Betty (Joe) Riggs of Crestwood, and Pat (Randy) Marion of St. Charles, Mo.; four sons, Joe (late Betty) of Owensboro, Bobby (Debra) Cecil of Live Oak, Fla., Frank (Diane) Cecil and John (Lisa) Cecil, both of Louisville; one sister, Bertille Ballard Mattingly of Louisville; 20 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral is 11 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2025, at Barlow Funeral Home with burial in Lebanon National Cemetery in Lebanon.
Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Thursday, May 22, 2025, and 9-11 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2025, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be to the donor’s favorite charity.
Active pallbearers will be Johnny Cecil, Erik Cecil, Robert Cecil, Jeff Jackson, Michael Riggs, and Justin Connor. Honorary pallbearers will be Brian Riggs and Mark Marion.
Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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