Shirley Joy Chester Ballard

Shirley Joy Chester Ballard, 90, of Carlsbad, NM, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Carlsbad.

Shirley was born on June 22, 1935 in Stanford, Texas, to Cornelius P. Hiebert and Francis Pauline Davis. Shirley traveled a great deal as she grew up due to her father's road gravel crusher company, living in many places around the country from Nebraska and Kansas to Alpine, and Fort Stockton until finely settling down and calling Carlsbad New Mexico home.

Shirley Joy Chester Ballard was preceded in death by husband, Billie Buster Chester, and husband, Jerry Ballard; her brothers, Dwight Hiebert, and Glen Hiebert.

Shirley is survived by her sister, Linda McMillan of Mansfield TX; children: Terry Ray Chester and wife, Sherry, Billie Dean Chester and wife, Jeanette, Robin Dale Williams and husband, Alvy; nine grandchildren: Tonk, Tamsen, Heather, Brionne, Katie, Jennifer, Wayne, Shane, Holly; twenty-two great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her devotion to family, Shirley enjoyed making quilts, painting, visiting and playing cards with her loving friends at Leo Sweet center. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Otis for many years and volunteered to make cookies for Lakeview Hospice.

Graveside service is scheduled for 2:00 PM, Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, NM with Pastor, Ed Buerkle. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com