Clarence "Papa" Ballard

Clarence ‘Papa’ Ballard, Jr. 80, was born on November 10, 1939, in Pinson, TN. to the union of Clarence Sr. and Lorine Ballard.  He transitioned from this earthly life to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 3, 2020.

Clarence moved to Lorain, Ohio in 1958. He graduated from Central High, Alamo TN in 1957. He married the love of his life, Barbara Moody, on March 18, 1961.

At age 15, Clarence started singing on a local radio show in Tennessee. He brought that passion to Lorain, where he became a radio announcer at WJTB in 1989. Clarence also worked with Lorain radio personalities such as Sally Ratliff, Irine Starks, Lilly Graham, Nettie Jackson, Willy Flowers and Curtis Brisby. He and his wife Barbra were known around the community as “The Husband and Wife team.” In 2014 he became the co-owner and radio personality of WNZN Power 89.1 in Lorain. He received numerous awards and accomplishment. One of his most notable accolades in broadcasting was being inducted into the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Class of 1999.

He took a job at Ford Motor Company, working in the Lorain plant. He moved up the ladder and became a Supervisor at the Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, retiring in 1999 after 40 years of service.His greatest accomplishment was founding The Ballard Brothers gospel quartet group. Alongside his brothers Ray, Charles, Frank and sons Greg, Darnell, Mark and Mitchell Thomas, the group performed at dozens of sold out shows across the nation.

Clarence was a founding member and head deacon at Greater Victory Christian Ministries in Lorain.  He and his wife, Barbara, oversaw the church’s food pantry program.

Among his other ventures, Clarence had several rental properties, a food truck and a self-made landscaping company.

He leaves to cherish his memory; a beloved wife of 60 years, Barbara; Sons, Gregory (Elaine), Katy, TX, Larry Darnell (Angie), Modesto, CA, Mark (Sandra), Lorain; Sisters, Sadie (James) Smith, Humboldt, TN, Frances (Tom) Glindsey, Lorain,  Faye (Johnnie) Ross,  Mary Matthews, and Darlene (James) Jones, both of Lorain; Brother, William Charles (Jackie), Lorain; Sister in law, Thelma, Lorain; Grandchildren, Mia, Melissa, Gregory Jr. (Ina), Joshua (Rachel), Sonji,  Kiara, Brandon, Mark Anthony, and Moriah (Donnell); A host of nieces, nephews, friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Lorine Ballard; Sisters, Shirley Johnson and Dorothy Smith; Brothers, Frank and Willie Ray.

Family and Friends may be received on Friday, May 8, 2020 in the Greater Victory Christian Ministries 559 Reid Ave, Lorain, from 2:00 P.M. until 6:00P.M.and on Saturday, May 9, 2020 will be "Celebration Of Life"  DUE TO THE RESTRICTIONS OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS, SERVICES WILL BE PRIVATE.

*** PLEASE WEAR A MASK****

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