Rev. Milford Ballenger

Rev. Milford Ballenger, a beloved minister and cherished member of the West Georgia community, passed away on November 28, 2025, at the age of 92. Born on December 14, 1932, in Bowdon, Georgia, Milford dedicated his life to serving others and sharing the Gospel.

Milford graduated from Bowdon High School and proudly served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1953, during the Korean War. It was on March 2, 1952, that he married the love of his life, Joyce Walton, and together they created a beautiful life filled with love, faith, and family. Milford retired from Lockhead Aircraft in Marietta, Georgia after thirty-five years of valuable service.

In 1964, realizing his calling, Milford became an Ordained Minister of the Gospel. He devoted his life to ministry, beginning at Glen Baptist Church before moving on to serve at Unity Baptist Church, New Brooklyn Baptist Church, Gold Ridge Baptist Church, and Smyrna Baptist Church. His most recent ministry was at Salem Baptist Church, where he had been an influential member since 1999, guiding and nurturing countless individuals through his unwavering faith.

Rev. Ballenger is remembered not just for his service to the church, but as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He leaves behind his loving daughters, Debbie Harris and her husband Gordon, and Kathy Anderson and her husband Jeffrey; his grandchildren, Nicholas and Amber Fincher, Jeffrey Fincher, Olivia Fincher, and Nicole and Jordan Scott; and his great-grandchildren, Brantley Gilliland and Kataleya Gilliland. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Nadine Kilgore Walton.

Milford was preceded in death by his loving wife, Joyce Walton Ballenger; his father, Horace Ballenger; his mother, Margaret Arthur Ballenger; his sisters, Betty Watson, Marlene Smith; and his brothers, W. A. Ballenger and Reiford Ballenger.

The family will receive friends at Martin & Hightower Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM, where friends and family will come together to share memories and stories of the remarkable man he was.

A funeral service will follow on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 1:00 PM, from the Chapel of Martin & Hightower Funeral Home, with Rev. Mark Williams, Rev. Jerrell Beatty, and Pastor John Lemmings officiating. Interment will follow in Carroll Memory Gardens with Pastor Joe Sims conducting the graveside service and the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Franklin Walker, Brian Griffis, Jordan Scott, Donald Mabe, Joel Robison, and Scott Robison.

The Brotherhood and Deacons of Salem Baptist Church will serve as Honorary Pallbearers, a testament to the love and respect he garnered in his church family. Also serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be fellow Ministers of the Gospel and their faithful Wives. The American Legion Post #143 will provide military honors to commemorate his service to our country.

Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel is honored to serve the Ballenger family during this time.

Click this link to view additional details about Rev. Milford's Services,
including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/rev-milford-ballenger