Jimmy Dewayne Ballew, 76 of Nixa
Jimmy Dewayne Ballew, 76 of Nixa, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2026 in Nixa.
Jimmy was born on December 27, 1948, in Newport, Arkansas, to Herman and Irene Ballew. During his childhood, he attended elementary school in Grubbs, Arkansas, and later high school in Newport. He left high school early to begin working and soon started building the life and family that meant so much to him.
On May 20, 1967, he married Joyce Winingar, and together they shared a devoted life and family. Over the years, Jimmy worked in a variety of roles, including for a grocery store, lumber company, and with Sysco Food Distributor, before answering his true calling to serve in ministry.
Jimmy began pastoring in Levesque 1st Assembly in Wynne, Arkansas, in 1990. He later served congregations in Lonoke, Arkansas, from 1991, until 2008, where he also led a building program for a new church. He then pastored in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, until 2018, when he moved back to Missouri. He dearly loved people and loved being a pastor, and he found deep purpose in visiting with others and offering counsel and encouragement. Jimmy and Joyce also shared a heart for missions, traveling on numerous mission trips to places including Russia, England, Africa, Mexico, and Argentina.
He was a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan, and eating sweets could easily have been considered his second life’s calling. Above all, Jimmy was an amazing father and an example to his sons. He lived vicariously through them, enjoying countless hours watching them play football and take part in many other sports and activities. He also became a father figure to many of his sons’ teammates and friends, offering steady support, care, and encouragement.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Herman & Irene Ballew and one son, Jeff Ballew in 2023.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce Ballew of Nixa; his sons, Mark Ballew and wife Mary of Nixa, and Darren Ballew and wife Daniela of Goshen, IN; his sister, Barbara Ann Green of Rogers, AR; ten grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Friday, May 29, 2026 in Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, 1638 E. State Hwy 76, Branson, MO. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am in the funeral home with Dalton Ballew officiating.