NORTHPORT - Diane Gast Ballard, age 66, of Northport, passed away Sunday, November 26, 2017, at DCH Regional Medical Center. The service will be Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at Taylorville Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. with Curtis Kelley and Tim Clements officiating and Norwood-Wyatt Chapel Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. There will be a private family burial at Sunset Memorial Park.

She was preceded in death by her father, Samuel Flint Gast; brother, Gerald Flynn Gast; and her husband, Joseph Edward Ballard. Diane is survived by her daughters, Kim McMullen (Chason) of Tuscaloosa and Kristy Hammond (Matt) of Northport; sisters, Debbie Civils (John) of Birmingham and Donna Gast Christian of Northport; brother, Reggie Gast of Birmingham; mother, Betty E. Gast of Birmingham; grandchildren, Sara Chase McMullen and Mason McMullen of Tuscaloosa, Jackson Rhodes, Max Hammond, Lily Hammond and Graham Summerlin of Northport.

Diane was a proud and loving wife, mother, and grandmother (Nana). She married her high school sweetheart just a few short weeks after graduation and they were married 30 years. Diane and Joe raised two beautiful daughters. She was a devoted sister and supportive friend. She loved blues music, baking, dancing, fishing, parasailing, and spending time with her classmates from the TCHS Class of 1970. Diane was an Avid Alabama fan and enjoyed football watch parties with her friends. Most of all, Diane loved watching her grandchildren in their sports, plays and attending school events. Despite battling cancer for the last seven years, Diane remained strong in her faith and fiercely determined to fight. She lived life to the fullest and was an inspiration to all. She will be dearly missed and has left a lasting impression of faith, strength and determination.

Pallbearers will be John Civils, Matt Hammond, Max Hammond, Chason McMullen, Jackson Rhodes and Graham Summerlin. Honorary pallbearers are Norma Ball, Leigh Anne Bowick, Janice and Randy Brown, Bruce Evans, Joyce Evans, Stanley Fowler, Blanton Parham, Sandra and Gary Summerlin, Carol Womack, Dr. John Dubay, Dr. Brian Wilhite, Lewis & Faye Manderson Cancer Center and TCHS Class of 1970.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Published in Tuscaloosa News, Wednesday, November 29, 2017.