DOVER - Pastor Delia "Faye" Ballance went home to be with her Lord at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. Faye was born Sept. 7, 1931, in the town of Avon, N.C. to the late Eugene and Lovie Gray.
At the age of seventeen, she married the love of her life Ruffus "Linwood" Ballance on Nov. 30, 1948 in Elizabeth City, N.C. A year later she and Linwood moved to Staten Island, N.Y. It was there that they embraced the adventure of their new city lives.
In New York, she also became a mom, who truly adored her children. She made every provision for them and made sure they had a relationship with Jesus Christ.
For a simpler life they moved to Dover in 1968. When her children became teenagers she decided to further her education. She enrolled and later graduated second in her class from Delaware State University. Faye later found employment in the Capital School District where she taught 7th and 8th graders.
She was ordained as a minister in 1978. Later in that year, she was instrumental in founding Liberty Church and served several decades as Senior Pastor. She was still preaching until being called home to be with her Lord and Savior.
Pastor Faye's greatest passion was her service to the church. She was especially excited to perform baptisms and guided many people through her ministry. She was a pastor to pastors and a mother to many.
Love was the foundation of everything she pursued. Her presence was extraordinary wherever she went. The Light that shined so brightly through her beamed the Glory of God to all who saw it.
Her soul mission was to have an intimate relationship with the Lord and to share that same intimacy with the entire world. She was the Lion and the Lamb- the gentlest soul with the might to give great direction. Pastor Faye never said too much or too little and always waited on the Lord's consideration for each step she took. She represented a taste of heaven to the earth. Her witness of God's strength and comfort during times of trouble was amazing.
Psalm 23 meant so much to her. Having full knowledge that lying down in green pastures was a restful surrender to God's plan that only leads to one place - THE RESTORATION OF OUR SOUL. She modeled it daily for us.
Pastor Faye was a great mother, pastor, teacher and friend. We celebrate her, her illuminating teachings, and her legacy to live and do all for God's Glory.
She is survived by her son, Gregory Ballance (Debra); her daughter, Diana Hegeman (Scott); six grandchildren, Tiffany Price, Jacqueline Ferger, Samantha Hemphill, Jason Ballance, Devin Miller and Jason Hegeman; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Ethan, Savannah, and Addison; and her sister, Lillian Bennett. To the many that Pastor Faye mothered in so many ways, especially Liberty Church, may you always know that she affectionately loved you dearly.
A viewing will take place Saturday. Sept. 9, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming. Her Celebration of Life and Home Going Service will take place Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, 4 p.m. at Liberty Church, 1150 College Road, Dover. Friends may begin calling at 3 p.m. Minister Debbie Brinkley, officiating. Interment and committal service, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, 11 a.m. at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.
Memorials may be made to the church. Share a memory at www.pippinfuneralhome.com