Carrie Jean Ballard was born in Lake Providence, Louisiana on February 15, 1945, to the proud parents of Mr. Edward Ballard and Mrs. Mattie Lee Ballard.

She united with Pleasant Green Baptist Church, was baptized, and grew in wisdom and stature.

She finished high school and moved to Dallas, Texas and united with Christ Temple Baptist Church, where she was faithful on the usher board. She was self-employed as a cosmetologist in Dallas at Flo's Beauty Bar for over 30½ years and retired in December of 1999.

In 2000, Carrie met and married Pastor Dwight Thomas and moved to Denison, Texas to help him fulfill the vision and calling on his life. In 2003, they gave birth to God's House of Faith & Worship Center Church, Denison, Texas, where she was able to use her many gifts and talents to beautify the church and edify the Body of Christ.

She was co-pastor, a board member and served faithfully until she transitioned from earth to glory on Nov.14th, 2024 at Carrus Rehabilitation Hospital in Sherman, Texas.

Carrie was proceeded in death by her mother Mattie Lee Ballard, her father, Edward Ballard, sisters Betty Hunt, Aggie Ross, brothers Will Ballard, Melroy Ballard, Patrick Ballard, and her high school sweetheart Ruben Gains with whom she was married for 33-1/2 years.

Pastor Carrie is survived by her husband Pastor Dwight Thomas, daughters LaTanya Martin, Tiffani Harkless, and Sherry Houston, brother James Ballard Grimes, Iowa, sisters Josephine Garrett and Brenda L. Ballard, Lancaster, Texas, Alice Warren, Desoto, Texas, Lillie Horton, North Richland Hills, Texas and Pearlie M. Shaw and Annie Willis, Dallas, Texas as well as a host of nieces, nephews, grands, great grandchildren.

A public visitation will be Friday, November 22nd from 3 P.M. to 7 P.M. at Waldo Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be Saturday, November 23rd at 11 A.M. at Trinity Lighthouse Church, 2915 Spur 503, Denison with Rev. Raymond England as Host Pastor and Apostle Tweedy Thomas officiating.  Bishop Michael Clerkley will deliver the eulogy.

Burial will be Tuesday, November 26th at 11 A.M. at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas.

Arrangements have been entrusted to James E. Smith and the professionals of Waldo Funeral Home.  You may sign the online guestbook at waldofuneralhome.com.