Mary Alice Ballard Douglas' Obituary
Mary Alice Ballard Douglas, 78, of Chattanooga, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2025, at her residence. She was born on September 5, 1947, to Willie T. Ballard and Essie L. (Brittian) Ballard in Newnan (Coweta County), Georgia. Later was born two younger brothers, Willie T. Ballard, Jr. (aka, Tony Husain) and John M. Ballard. At some point, the family moved to Chattanooga, TN, where she attended Chattanooga City Schools. She was an alumnus of Howard High School class of 1965. She retired from Walden Security after many years of service.
Mary Alice was not ashamed of her steadfast faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. During difficult times, she would often say, “I trust God.” She was a member of New Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, flowers, and just riding around town. She deeply loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them, especially her grandchildren. She was kind, generous, and fun loving, and had a beautiful smile and contagious sense of humor and laughter.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Douglas; mother, Essie L. (Brittian) Ballard; father, Willie T. Ballard; brothers; grandson, JaMichael Eddins; sister-cousin, Ora Lee Banks Lester; and other relatives.
Her memories will be cherished by her two sons, Gary (Stephania) Ballard Toney of San Antonio, TX and Michael (Audrey) Eddins of Chattanooga; 8 grandchildren, Madu (Ronni) X of San Antonio, Aisha X-Barnes (Raynard) of Katy, TX, Jasmine (Christian) Engel of San Antonio, Emmanuel Toney of San Antonio, Jonathan Toney of San Antonio, Mikhail Eddins of Chattanooga, Benjamin Toney of San Antonio, and Ashanti Eddins of Chattanooga; 1 great-grandson, Raynard Barnes III of Katy; 2 nephews, Eric Ricky Puckett and Waheed Husain, both of Chattanooga; a beloved and devoted friend, W. Joe Common; cousins; other relatives and friends. To know her was to love her. She will be sorely missed.
Mary will lie-in-state on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 12:00 noon in the Chapel with Pastor Terrance Hannah as the Eulogist. Burial in Forest Hills Cemetery.
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