Ballard, Hercenia

Mother Hercenia Bessie Mae Ballard was born in Bishopville, SC on May 30, 1935 to Jesse and Jessie Slater Benjamin. She was called to rest on Friday December 17, 2010 at her residence at 10:42 a.m. Affectionately known as “Sene” since her childhood, she graduated from Cypress School in Lamar, SC. After moving to Paterson, NJ, she attended the Paterson Adult Education School and Sawyer Business Academy graduating with a certificate in Business Administration. She was united in marriage to the late Lerand Ballard. To this union, they shared six beautiful children. She was gainfully employed by Grand Union Inc (Wayne, NJ) as an Account Payable Processor until her retirement in 1996. She was also a professional seamstress, making and designing hats, dresses, and wedding gowns for many patrons in New Jersey. Because of her talent and giving heart, the saints’ children never went without winter coats. In 1957, Mother Ballard was invited to a church service at the Greater Bethel C.O.O.L.J.C. by the late Geraldine McCoy Hamm. While hearing the word of God preached that day by the late Bishop Herbert Frazier, she was moved in her heart with conviction and was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Soon she joined the church and her pastor asked her to serve on the Gospel Chorus. After singing on the choir for a year, the Spirit of the Lord endowed her and she began to speak with new tongues as the Spirit of God gave the anointed utterance. During her tenure at Greater Bethel C.O.O.L.J.C., Mother Ballard faithfully served in many capacities on the local level such as: Church Secretary, Missionary Dept., Senior Choir, President of the Hallelujah Chorus, Pastor’s Appreciation Board, Usher Board, Choir Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent (local and state level). In addition, she served as the Ecclesiastical Diocese Sunday School Superintendent, Recording and Corresponding Secretary of the Youth Dept., and Diocese Missionary Choir. On the national level, she served as Chairperson for the Banner Committee, Oratorical Contest, and lifetime Women’s Council Member of C.O.O.L.J.C. While living in New Jersey, Mother Ballard helped to establish Gethsemane Evangelistic Center located in Passaic, NJ, serving as Church Mother. In 1997, Mother Ballard and her family moved back to South Carolina where she along with her son helped to establish El Shaddai Apostolic Christian Center in Darlington, SC. She was a very faithful and dedicated member where she served as the Church Mother, Treasurer, and Adviser to the Women’s Dept. In essence, whatever task or service that she was asked to perform, she did it with all of her might. In 2001, El Shaddai became affiliated with the P.U.C.C.A organization under the leadership of Apostle Fred Graham. Mother Ballard was appointed as SC State Vice President of the Missionary Dept. and served until her health began to decline. In her latter days, Mother Ballard attended the Word of Truth Church C.O.O.L.J.C under the leadership of Elder Gerald Rose. Mother Ballard loved to travel, never missing a convention or women’s council meeting. Mother would sacrifice her time and her resources to make sure that her family had whatever they needed. She loved her family and thoroughly enjoyed spending quality time with them. One of her favorite pass times with the family is when she would pull out the scrabble board. Seeing as she was the matriarch and a perfectionist, she would win every game. She leaves to cherish her memories: two daughters, Pamela (Timothy) Burgess and Sandra Ballard both of Florence SC; one son, Timothy (Theresa) Ballard of Camden SC; eighteen grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; two devoted sisters, Mamie Davis of Baltimore, MD, and Curlenia (James) McMahon of Florence SC; three goddaughters, Sheila Person, Alecia Perry of Indian Trail, NC, and Valerie Mickens Thompson of Tampa FL; one godson, Elder Steven Baker of Freeport, Long Island; two daughters-in-law; one son-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, others relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Lerand (1984) and children, Janet (1994), Debra and Ramsey (2010) respectively. As the Bible says in Proverbs 31, “her children will rise and call her blessed”. Mother Hercenia Bessie Mae Ballard was indeed a virtuous woman, and leaves a legacy for her family and friends to follow for many years to come. Visitation to be held on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Pentecostal United Apostolic Church of Christ 4430 Pamplico Highway Florence, SC US 29505 843 669-3113 Service to be held on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010 7:00 pm Pentecostal United Apostolic Church of Christ 4430 Pamplico Highway Florence, SC US 29505 843 669-3113 Burial Ceremony to be held on Friday, Dec. 24, 2010 11:00 am Sunset Memory Gardens 2615 Alligator Road Effingham, SC US 29541 843 669 3126