Joy's Biography
Early life
Joy was born in San Pedro, California. She was raised in Hot Spring county, Malvern and Magnet Cove. She graduated from Magnet Cove high school in 1970 and attended college at Henderson State University.
Adult life
Joy has lived in Saline County, Benton and Bryant, since 1980. She and her husband, Gary, have been married for 31 years. Joy and Gary have three children, Brandi of Little Rock, Mason and his wife, Stefanie of Benton, and the late Ari Ballard.
Joy's life is centered around her family, friends and work. She enjoys running, gardening, traveling, reading and entertaining. She is an avid runner, having completed over 30 marathons and numerous triathlons and duathlons. She and her husband have spent much of their spare time over the past four years restoring her Grandmother's house in Oak Grove, a small community southwest of Malvern.
Professional life
After marrying Gary in 1980, Joy was periodically a full-time Mom and part-time employee at The Fashion, a women's clothing store in downtown Benton operated by Rhea and Dean Dodson (The site of the current Saline County Republican Building). The Dodson's (Rhea and Dean) were long time family friends of Joy's father-in-law, J. B. Ballard.
In 1988, she began her career in banking as a teller, later becoming a branch manager for 10 years.
In December 2000, she was hired to be the administrative assistant to County Judge Lanny Fite, a position which she held until being elected collector and starting in that office on January 3, 2011.
The 10 years working for Judge Fite were the experience base that prepared her for her first attempt at elected office. "There were so many people that I dealt with on a daily basis and so many different problems to solve. I had to do my best to represent Judge Fite and Saline County in a professional manner. This was my governmental training class."
"I have enjoyed serving and working for the people of our wonderful county. It is a privilege and an honor and I will be forever grateful."