Odis Earl Ballard's Obituary
Odis was known as ‘Big O’ among his close family and friends. He moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005. Although living in a different state, surrounded by Cowboy fans, Odis maintained his love of the New Orleans Saints. He was devout in his allegiance to the Saints throughout his entire life; no matter winning or losing, Odis believed the Saints to be the greatest football team on earth! Odis was a very private man, living alone for most of his adult life; yet, he always took the time to call friends and relatives for birthdays and holidays. Perhaps the most inspiring characteristic Odis possessed was his dedication to prayer. He never lost his faith in God, and always got down on his knees to pray, always honoring the Lord as his God, His Lord, and his Savior. He had unwavering faith, no matter what happened in https://life.Odis is preceded in death by his son, Odis Ballard Jr. his mother, Bernadette Boudoin, his father, William Santee, grandmother, Rosemary Sanders, who raised him, and his brother Lawrence Henderson, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rogenia Duncan Ballard, sisters Denise Henderson, Linda Jean Allen, and the sister he was raised with, Jack Lyn Henderson. He is also survived by his uncle, Dillard Alexander, a very supportive cousin, Sheila Wright, and a host of relatives and close friends, Kris Box and Jamie Basden. Odis leaves behind wonderful memories from childhood, and through the years has left a lasting impact of a man who stood alone; yet, with strong convictions in what he believed. He surely believed the words of Jesus, saying “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live”. It was with great heaviness of heart that I carried the remains of Odis from Floral Haven Funeral Home and Crematory to the Arkansas River, where his remains were scattered just after sunset on January 6, 2026. I whispered the words of Jesus: “From dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return”. And then I said “death is not the end, but the beginning”; understanding that death from this life is yet the beginning of the next. May the soul of Odis Ballard be with God, that he may rest in peace.
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