Margie Margett Ballinger

Margie Margett Ballinger was born June 23, 1925 in Love County, Oklahoma; she was the daughter of Floyd and Rose (Perry) English. She moved with her family at an early age to Ripley, Oklahoma and then later to Jennings. During the early part of World War II, Margie worked at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City assisting the war effort. She was married to Charlie Henry Ballinger on November 5, 1945 in Drumright, Oklahoma. They made their initial home in Jennings and then the couple moved to Odell, California where their first son, Ronnie was born. They returned to Jennings in 1950 and their second son, Steve was born in Pawnee that year. As Charlie followed work in the oilfield, the family moved to Bakersfield, California in 1957 and continued to reside there until 1974. After Charlie retired they returned to the family home in Jennings where they were residing when Charlie passed away on June 19, 1982. Margie continued to reside at the family home until she passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at the age of eighty-four. To say that Margie loved Jennings and was involved in about anything there would be an extreme understatement. She was described by her friends as in the center of anything that went on in the town. She was instrumental in the preparation and management of the Jennings Centennial Celebration. Additionally, Margie was active in the Jennings Senior Citizens for many years. For the past few years, she has volunteered to assist in any capacity at Burger Time Cafe, just to remain active in the community and help the owners. Her hobbies included working in her flower beds, fishing and making friends where ever she went. Her outgoing and smiling personality would light up any room or gathering. She is survived by two sons, Steven Eugene Ballinger of Jennings, Oklahoma and Ronald Charles Ballinger and his wife, Andrea of Neosho, Missouri; four grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren, a nephew and his wife, Jim and Dianne Gable and their family. In addition to her husband, Margie was preceded in death by her parents; and four sisters, Viola Ledoshi English, Faye Larry English, Maudie Marie English and Neva Leanna Wilson. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the Oak Hill Church of Keystone Lake with officiating Pastor Harrel Jones officiating. Burial will be at the Jennings Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.