Dorothy Spellman Ballard, known as “Dolly”, age 88, died Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. Her husband, Lester L. Ballard, and three of her children have preceded her in death.
Dolly was born in Tampa, Fla., on Holy Thursday, April 13, 1933, the seventh child of Winnifred Irene Newman Spellman and Joseph Michael Spellman.
The family moved to Cherry Lake during 1935 and 1936. Her father and older brother, Charles Spellman, helped in building the community of Cherry Lake.
After graduation from Madison High School in 1951, she moved to Tampa, Fla., and then to Miami. In 1988, After a very exciting and interesting career with the Metro Dade Police Department she retired and returned to beautiful Madison. Dolly was one of the first lady police officers. Her badge number #640 read Police Woman. Later, she was re-issued a new badge with the words, Police Officer, Sheriff’s Deputy. Her last 14 years of her career was assigned to the Crime Scene Lab where she investigated many major homicides that made national news.
The first 20 years of Dolly’s retirement were dedicated to good works at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Branching out in the community, Dolly served three years as president of the Madison Garden Club and loved working with the youth at the schools and 4-H Clubs.
Dolly is survived by her daughters, Karen Kocan of Tallahassee and Patty Stabile of Davie, Fla. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, Dec. 27, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with rosary at 7 p.m. at Beggs Funeral Home, in Madison.
The Eucharistic Mass Celebration will be held Tuesday, Dec. 28, at 11 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with interment in Cherry Lake at the United Methodist Cemetery.
Beggs Funeral Home of Madison is in charge of the arrangements, (850) 973-2258. Condolences can be shared at www.beggsfuneral.com.