Lily May Ballard, 97, of Grayson, GA, was born to Elizabeth and George Porter on May 14, 1926, in Chicago, IL. Lily passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at her home. Baptized in July 1977, Lily was a devoted Jehovah's Witness who steadfastly held to her faith until the end of her life. She had been a member of the Albany, GA, congregation since 2005. Lily enjoyed studying the bible, cooking, grocery shopping, gardening, and visiting with friends and family. Educated in the Chicago Public Schools, Lily went on to attend Master College, earning a diploma in ladies' garment design in 1945. She chose a different career, however: after graduating from McCoy Barber College in 1957, Lily became a licensed barber and business owner. On September 23, 1947, Lily married Emanuel Ballard. To this union was born Donna Young, Ludington, MI; Ray Ballard, Battle Creek, MI; and Denise Ballard, Grayson, GA. Emanuel and her parents preceded her in death, as did her son, Ray; her brothers George, Jr. and Felton Porter; her grandson, Keith Young; and her son-in-law, Jerry Young (Donna). In 1968, Lily relocated to Baldwin, MI, where she continued to enjoy being a mother, a grandmother and aunt to her nephews Felton and Dale, while caring for her aging parents. After her mother's death in 1981, Lily moved to Detroit, MI, where she worked as a home health aide for seniors until her retirement in 1988. In 2005, Lily and her daughter Denise relocated to the Albany, GA, area, and to the metro Atlanta area in 2020. Lily leaves to carry on her legacy of love her devoted daughters Donna and Denise and her stepdaughter, Pat Thompson, Hazel Crest, IL. She also leaves to treasure her memory her greatest pride and joy, her grandchildren: Kenton Young (Nicole),Traverse City, MI; Kreg Young (Shanese), Karlan Young (Sondra) and Jerri Young, Ludington, MI; her great-grandchildren Trent Young (Alexis), Raliegh, NC; Tia Collison (Darren), Ladera Ranch, CA; Alana Young, Green Bay, WI; Dahnae Young, Ludington, MI; Kasan and Ava Young, Ludington, MI; and her great-great granddaughter, Divinity Young, Ludington, MI. Lily also is survived by her brother, Nathan Porter, Rantoul, IL; her nephews, Felton Porter, Ypsilanti, MI; Dale Porter, Peoria, IL; Wyatt Blissit, Champaign, IL; Victor Blissit, Ina, IL; her nieces, Towanda Baker (Gary), Dallas, TX; Carla Reed (Frank), Memphis, TN; Pamela Parker (Roy), Champaign, IL; her cousin, Larry (Marie) Thomas, Huntsville, AL; and a host of other beloved relatives and friends. The family wishes to express its deepest appreciation to all those who called, visited, prayed, encouraged and consoled. A memorial service will be held via Zoom on Saturday, December 2, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon. Interment of Lily's cremains will take place at 1:00 pm at Maple Grove Cemetery, 1184 E. Free Soil Road, Free Soil, MI 49411. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Golden Rule Hospice Foundation, 4080 McGinnis Ferry Rd., Suite 602, Alpharetta, GA 30005. Jesus said to her "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life; John 11:25. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14.