John Allen Ballard July 4, 1930 - March 2, 2015 Columbus, GA- John Allen Ballard, 84 of Columbus, Georgia passed away on Monday, March 2, 2015 at Magnolia Manor. Funeral service for Mr. Ballard will be on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 4:00 pm in the Mill Room at Striffler-Hamby in Columbus, Georgia with Reverend Ken Savage officiating. His family will receive friends from 3:00 pm until time of the service in the Mill Room. John Allen Ballard was born on July 4, 1930 to the late Nona Ann Kelley and Eddie Franklin Ballard in Geneva, Alabama. He was a self-employed auto mechanic, specializing in transmissions. Mr. Ballard enjoyed working on automobiles and tinkering in his shop. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Survivors include his daughter, Elizabeth Lamb and her husband David of Murphy NC; his son, James Phillip Ballard and his wife Leeanne of Phenix City, AL; his sister, Rennie "Ludine" Evans of Columbus, GA; his brother, Derrell Eugene "Buddy" Ballard and his wife Annette of Columbus, GA; grandchildren, Cassandra McMillen of Lansing, MI and A.J. Ballard of Phenix City, AL; great-grandchildren, Lyssa McMillen and Tristan McMillen of Lansing, MI; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Online condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com