TRIBUTE TO THE LATE REV. SAMUEL BALLARD, SR.
WHEREAS, Reverend Samuel Ballard, Sr., a most beloved citizen, spiritual leader, and towering figure in Chicago's great ninth ward community, has been called to Eternal Life by the Wisdom of God, Sunday, April 29, 2012; and
WHEREAS. In a lifetime filled with inspiration and strengthened by a solid religious foundation, the Reverend Samuel Ballard, Sr. reached out and touched many lives; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his transition by the Honorable Anthony Beale, Alderman of the 9th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Samuel Ballard, Sr. lived a long and productive life. He was born January 11,1942 to Lawrence and Una Mae Ballard in Newbern, Alabama. He was a Junior Deacon in Newbern, Alabama at the First Baptist Church; Deacon at St. Michael M.B. Church and on July 6, 1980 he was called into the Ministry of Preaching under the pastorate of the late Rev. Willie Mason and served faithfully for nine years. In 1989 he united with Mars Hill M.B. Church where he organized the Faith United M.B. Church; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Ballard, Sr. and Annie Marie Harper were united in holy matrimony in 1971 and were blessed with four children. He was the CEO of the Faith United Family Enrichment Center Food Pantry and the Faith United Gospel in Action Mission; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Samuel Ballard, Sr. was a strong community advocate and believed that with prayer all things were possible; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Ballard was a wonderfully devoted husband of Annie Marie; loving father of Samuel Ballard, Jr., Kimberly Henderson, Minister Ruth Ballard, and AJ Fox (deceased); loving brother of James Ballard, John (Ellen) Ballard, Lovell (deceased), Lawrence (Jessie) (deceased), Preston Ballard (deceased), Idella Bryant, Dorothy Nelson and Ula Ballard; brother-in-law of Rebecca Ballard; loving grandfather, uncle, friend of many and to the Faith United Missionary Baptist Church Family; and
WHEREAS, His strong guidance, gentle kindness and endless generosity will serve as an inspiration and comfort to all who knew and loved him; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this fifth day of June, 2013 A.D., do hereby extend our sincere condolences to the family and many friends of Rev. Samuel Ballard, Sr. and express our deepest sympathy upon his passing.
Be It Further Resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Reverend Samuel Ballard, Sr.
'ANTHONY BEALE Alderman-9th Ward