Sybil Lee Ballew

Sybil Lee McCarley Ballew, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, departed this life on July 17, 2002 for the blessings of eternal life after a valiant struggle with cancer. She was born July 19, 1919 in Venus, Texas to Benjamin and Mary McCarley and was the youngest of 5 children. After losing their Venus farm home to a fire, the family moved to Cleburne, Texas where Sybil completed her education. She was a 1938 graduate of Cleburne High School and also attended one year of Business College. It was in Cleburne that she met the love of her life, Eugene Ballew, whom she married October 19, 1940. Sybil worked as an inspector of B-24 Liberator Bombers at the Convair Vultee Aircraft Plant in Fort Worth during World War II, while her husband served in the South Pacific. After the war, she and Eugene relocated to Marshall, Texas where both were employed at the B. S. Manly Tire and Appliance store, where she was a bookkeeper. She resigned to become a full time homemaker when her first child was born. She moved to Longview, Texas in 1956 when Eugene was transferred in his work. She was a constant source of support for her family, having served as a caregiver for several ailing family members through the years. She served tirelessly beside her husband in his role as an elder of the Mobberly Avenue Church of Christ and put the Lord above all in her life. She and Eugene became members of the Alpine Church of Christ in 1998. With failing health, Sybil moved to Abilene, Texas in February 2002 to be with her daughter. She immediately became an active part of the Southern Hills Church of Christ family and was a member there at the time of her death. Sybil supported her husband in his career as a C.L.U., being a constant source of encouragement, and she never missed a Little League game or band performance when her children were involved. She also made many trips to Dallas to see school performances involving her granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband in April 2001, by her parents, her siblings, a daughter-in-law, Patricia Anderson Ballew, and a grandson, Gene Alan Ballew. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Martha, of Dallas, a daughter, Margaret, of Abilene, a granddaughter and grandson-in-law Brenda and Joe Reed, of Corsicana and her great grandson, Caden Reed. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Evelyn McCarley, of Pasadena, Texas and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the caring nurses and aides of Hendrick Medical Center?s Southeast 6th floor and Hendrick Hospice Care. Special thanks is given to Sybil?s favorite doctor, Syed Raza, M.D. for his compassionate care and the wonderful way in which he related to our mother. We are grateful to the staff of the Texas Cancer Center, the staff of the Longview Cancer Center and Dr. Bernard Taylor. Memorial contributions may be made to Christian Homes of Abilene, P.O. Box 270, Abilene, Texas 79604, or to Christian Services of East Texas, 13359 Highway 155 S., Tyler, Texas 75703.

Sybil Lee Ballew

July 19, 1919 - July 17, 2002