Mary Lou "Gabby" Ballard

Mary Lou (Gabby) Ballard, 86, of Muskogee, entered her Heavenly eternal home on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, in Muskogee, OK. She was born on September 10, 1935 in Idabel, Oklahoma to Joe Anglin and Belinda Bates. Mary Lou attended the Haskell Indian Nations Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. She relocated to Muskogee and retired as packer at Owens Brockway. Gabby always made the world a little softer, a little kinder, a little warmer, and a lot brighter. She was always the best listener to all of her children and grandchildren, 24/7/365. Whichever parent would be upset with one or sometimes all of their kids, they would go over to her and she would understand and listen to all their problems and always find a way to work everything out. She was ready for battle at the drop of a hat with whoever upset her children or grandchildren, no matter who was in her way, and she always resolved the issues to make us smile and happy again. She was fearless. She was full of love and laughter. It always made Gabby happy when she bought gifts for her family and she always thought really hard about what they would like. She might spend hours in one store and decide on only one gift. However, her number one hobby that didn't cost a penny, was her love for family. And everyone who had the privilege to know Gabby, immediately felt rich off her love just by seeing her arms stretched open wide, smiling beautifully from ear to ear, ready to give the biggest and best hugs ever. Gabby loved watching her grandkids and great-grandkids and any sport or talent they were into. She always wanted to get there extra early to get front row seats to cheer us on. She was our #1 Fan. Gabby loved watching football (especially OU football and the Dallas Cowboys) and she loved watching OKC Thunder basketball. She was a deep-rooted, loyal fan whenever it came to anything sports related. Never a bandwagon fan, she would support anything Oklahoma, Muskogee, or any local sports team that family or friends were into. She loved being around the racetrack cheering on Big Joe, Bob, and their whole crew. Later in life, she loved cheering on the next generations of racers with Little Joe and Robbie Scott. Then, it was Robbie Scott's boys’ Logan and Caden Ellis. She loved to roll deep to every event with an entire entourage of supporters to let everyone know that she was there and there wasn't going to be any competition for the biggest fan. She loved garage selling, junkin’, antique shops, jewelry, sewing, and any type of collectibles. She also loved cooking and was so dang good at it. She would watch the food network and read recipe books daily. She liked making each person in the family their own special item that they cherished the most and would surprise us with the special dishes and treats at each get together. Gabby is survived by her brother, Doug Colbert and wife, Francis; sister, Julia Adams; daughters, Ginger Griffith, Ellen Wofford and husband, Jack; son, Joe Hooper and wife, Mita; Grandchildren, Robbie Scott and Jamie Ellis; Erica Bales, Jeramy and Kerry Hooper, Malissa Hooper, Jared and Lisa Wofford, Stephanie and Brad Blumhof, Nick and Blaike Wofford; great grandchildren, Logan Ellis, Caden Ellis, Shayla Ellis, Haley Bales, Katy Wofford, Story Bales, Tori Hooper, Danny Joe Hooper, Amelia Blumhof, Riley Blumhof, Loreli Blumhof, Isabelle Hooper, and Crosby Wofford; along with many other great-great grandchildren, and honorary grandkids. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe Anglin and Belinda Bates; husbands, Lloyd Hooper and Joe Ballard; sister, Vivian Neshiem; and brothers, Junior Adams and Mike White. Gabby’s life will be celebrated at 10AM, Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Gene Thompson officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery with Robbie Scott Ellis, Earnie Bales, Logan Ellis, Caden Ellis, Larry Young, and Lanny Yarbrough serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Doug Colbert, Joe Hooper, Jackie Wofford, Harold Hooper, and Bob Ballard. Her Honorary Grandkids are Earnie Bales, Lanny Yarbrough, Heidi Daniels, Stephanie Blumhof, Anthony Bellah, Michael Bellah, Danny Bellah, Jeremy Bellah, Sean Mannon, Jared Million, Levi Million.

Mary Lou "Gabby" Ballard

September 10, 1935 - July 5, 2022