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Ottis and Jessie Dola Stephenson Ballard Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-204

Content Description

Letters between Ottis and Jessie Dola Ballard written during World War II, military records, Bible and artifacts related to Ottis Ballard's military service in Africa and Italy. Also includes four issues (1943-1944) of the newsletter published by the Gulf Ordinance Plant in Prairie, Mississippi, part of the defense industry during World War II. Jessie Dola Ballard worked for the plant during the war.

Dates

  • 1941 - 2001

Conditions Governing Access

Open to all researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

Any requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce materials from this collection must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian for Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Mississippi State University as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Biographical / Historical

Ottis Ballard (b. 1/11/1916; d. 11/26/1989) served as a corporal in the United States military during World War II and was discharged in 1945, after having been injured in Italy. Ottis was married to Jessie Dola Stephenson (b. 7/18/1924; d. 3/9/1978) and they had two sons, Mike Ballard (b. 11/24/1946; d. 10/11/2016) and Chris Ballard. Ottis and Jessie are buried in the Old Lebanon Presybterian Cemetery in Ackerman, Mississippi.

Extent

2.3 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English