Barbara Jackson Ballenger

Barbara Jackson Ballenger, age 72 of Dandridge, TN passed away Friday, November 4, 2016. Preceded in death by father, Robert F. Jackson; mother, Reba Pardue Jackson and a host of family whom are awaiting her arrival. Barbara was born in Knoxville, TN, attended Central High School (freshman year) and then graduated from Powell High School (1962). She attended the University of Tennessee School of Nursing. She was a licensed nurse, but her love was her husband and family which were a central focus of her life. She was first wife, homemaker and then professional nurse spending several years in the medical field and ending her career in home health care. Barbara taught herself to sew and enjoyed numerous crafts. Her craft handiwork adorns the Ballenger home as well as her children's homes. She fiercely loved family, defended them and was interested in every aspect of their lives. She much preferred being in the garage talking racing with Rusty or nursing with Tom (RN) to any domestic goings on. Ashley's and Ben's achievements and their independence was a source of pride; she loved them dearly. She often referred to her distant cousins, the Walker sisters, of the Smoky Mountains, as where she got her independent streak, and she was proud to let you know about it. Barbara and Richard are members of Mills Springs Baptist Church, Jefferson City and reside in Dandridge. Barbara is survived by husband, Richard A. Ballenger, Sr., whom she shared 52 years of marriage; daughter, Wendy Ballenger Freels and husband, Ed, of Brookfield, MA; son, Richard (Rick) A. Ballenger, Jr. and wife, Donna Loveday, of Seymour, TN; grandsons, Thomas Freels of Wilmington, NC, Benjamin Freels (US Army), Rusty Ballenger and wife, Macy, of Seymour, TN; and granddaughter, Ashley Ballenger, of Gray, TN; brother, Robert F. Jackson and wife, Maria, of Knoxville, TN. Funeral service will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at Farrar Funeral Home, Jefferson City with Rev. Greg Lindsey officiating. Family and friends will meet at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Mill Springs Church Cemetery for a 11:00 a.m. graveside interment service. The family will receive friends 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Friends of Library, Jefferson City, 108 City Center Drive, Jefferson City, TN 37760.