Lurleen Weaver Ballentine, peacefully moved on from this life with those who loved her near. Whilst in this body, she was a fire cracker and a quintessential steele magnolia and that spirit lives on in her female descendants both blood and adopted.

A loving and beloved mama and nana, sister and friend. She herself defined elegance and everything she touched. She was brave, smart, strong and fiercely loyal to her family. She was tiny but mighty. And her southern cooking was THE best.

Lurleen started as a teller and quickly worked her way up to a secretary / treasurer position at South Carolina Federal. She was strong in her faith as a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and regularly volunteered in their soup kitchen. Though for the last 20 years of her life on earth, she was a devoted follower of Dr. Charles Stanley teachings and a supporter of In Touch Ministries.

Nana was a complex but simple woman. She enjoyed the finer things in life but because of her humble beginnings appreciated the small things-A beautiful Christmas tree with Swarovski crystal ornaments, a hug from one of her grandchildren, giving a special gift or receiving bright pink roses. She loved deviled eggs, shag dancin', Silver queen cream corn, the Gamecocks from THE University, spicy jalapeño stuffed olives, all things peanut butter and chocolate or lemon, the Atlanta Braves, statement earrings but above all else was her beloved home and her family.

Though she never traveled much, she was wickedly streetsmart. She just knew things the way grandmothers do. Mostly, she was one of the strongest and most generous women to have ever walked this earth. She gave to everyone, always, in every way, all the time. The way she taught us all about generosity is her greatest legacy.

Mrs. Ballentine is preceded in death by her deceased spouses James "Jimmy" Linwood Gibbs and most recently by Jack Melvin Ballentine. Her body will be laid to rest between the two of the great loves of her life at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

She is succeeded by her daughter Kimberly and her husband Joseph Thomas, her granddaughter Ashley Thomas Perry, Lurleen's only living sister Dorothy Clark and her husband Clayton, her stepson Tim Ballentine (June), her grandchildren Kristin Baggott (Jerry), April Waltz (Dave), Josh Ballentine (Michelle), and Josh (Clare), Jesse (Amanda) and Jared (Nina) Thomas and their children. She is preceded in death by her her beloved sisters, Willie Martin, Betty Parnell and her stepson Greg Ballentine who were waiting for her with bells on to welcome her home.

Her life will be missed but the love she imparted to us all will never fade.

A graveside service for Mrs. Ballentine will be held at 2 o'clock on Monday, February 13th, at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 7100 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends for visitation beginning at 12 o'clock at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC.

Memorials can be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation https://www.cff.org/ , Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America https://www.lls.org/ , In Touch Ministries https://www.intouch.org/ , or Valentine's Day Widow Outreach Project https://donorbox.org/2023-valentine-s-day-widow-outreach-project .