Mary Helen Ballard Cecil

Mary Helen Ballard Cecil, age 102, was born to John Raymond and Mary Lilly (Newton) Ballard in Nelson County, KY on February 24, 1923 and went to be with her Lord Jesus on May 16, 2025 at her daughters home.  

On April 17, 1942, she married Joseph Oscar Cecil at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Holy Cross, KY.  

Helen lived in the Holy Cross area during her childhood and graduated from Holy Cross High School in 1941.  After graduating, she worked for several local distilleries, several department stores in Louisville and the powder plant in Indiana.  Helen demonstrated a committed devotion to her Lord, fiercely loved and cared for her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Oscar Cecil; parents, John Raymond and Lillie Newton Ballard, a daughter, Joyce Leiphon formerly of Port St. Lucie, FL; grandson, Travis Street; four sisters, Gertie Thompson, Iola Osbourne, Pauline Lyle, Mary Jean Ballard and nine brothers, Gus, Phillip, Joseph, Leo, Bernard, James, Baby Leo, and Brother Earl Ballard.

She is survived by her children, Joe (late Betty) of Owensboro, KY, Janice Cecil of Bardstown, Gail Cecil of Louisville, Susan Christianson (David) Palm of Okeechobee, FL, Betty (Joe) Riggs of Crestwood, KY, Bobby (Debra) Cecil of Live Oak, FL, Frank (Diane) Cecil of Louisville, KY, Pat (Randy) Marion of St. Charles, MO, and John (Lisa) Cecil of Louisville, KY; sister, Bertille Ballard Mattingly of Louisville, KY; twenty grandchildren; thirty-three great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 23, 2025 at Barlow Funeral Home.  She will be laid to rest at Lebanon National Cemetery in Lebanon, KY.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8 P.M. Thursday, May 22, 2025 and 9 to 11 A.M. Friday, May 23, 2025 at Barlow Funeral Home.  

Memorial contributions may be to the donor's favorite charity.

The family would like to thank Rhonda Heywood, everyone from Helping Hands and Hosparus, Marsha, Christina and Kim for all the loving care they provided.

Active pallbearers will be Johnny Cecil, Erik Cecil, Robert Cecil, Jeff Jackson, Michael Riggs, and Justin Connor.  Honorary pallbearers will be Brian Riggs and Mark Marion.

Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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