Vida Mae Ballard

Vida Mae Jackson Ballard was born February 19, 1939, in Fort Hall, Idaho to Willie and Grace George Jackson. She walked on to be with the Creator on May 2, 2026, surrounded by family at Portneuf Medical Center. Vida was a loving and caring Wife, Mother, Cagu’, Hutsi, and JoJo. She met Alfred Jones and had two daughters, Alvina and Carol, they later separated. She married Willard Ballard, whom she loved deeply, and remained with him until his death in 2018. They built a life together taking care of their two daughters Alvina and Carol along with two nieces and a nephew Jesus Torres Jr., Daphne Ramon Apodaca, and Cideahzah Ramon.

Vida was a homemaker who spoke her Shoshoni language to her family and lived a traditional way of life. She was a member of the Native American Church and was one of our last few, full-blooded, Shoshoni elders of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Vida loved sharing stories of her youth and the good old days which brought joy to her. She was a well-known beadwork artist who also tanned and smoked hides with her husband. Her talent for doing beadwork was taught to her daughters, and to her grandchildren, which then was passed on to her great-grandchildren. She has made many beadwork pieces across the U.S. for dance outfits along with numerous buckskin dresses and men’s old-style outfits. Her beadwork is well known for her intricate, beautiful designs, and vibrant colors. This was shown in her unique roses, geometric designs and animal beadwork pieces.

She and Willard enjoyed traveling to powwows and selling their beadwork and hides. She liked going camping and spear fishing every year with her family. She also loved gathering native plants for medicine and food. In her last days, she said she was very happy with her life, she was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in what they were doing in their lives. This brought happiness to her knowing that they would be passing down her family traditions. 

Vida is survived by her two daughters; her 8 grandchildren: Marquette Bagley, Milo Pabawena, Corinne Walker, Bryant Pabawena, Anthony Bagley, Tiffany Pabawena, Chantay Pabawena and Jared Pabawena, her great-grandchildren: Tiauna Walker, Carlise Walker, Trayson Bagley, Jace Walker, Susanna Mejia, Emma Pabawena, Olivia Pabawena, Andrew Pabawena, Isaac Mejia, John Mejia Jr. (JJ), Elise Pabawena, Lennon Pabawena, Rayne Pabawena, Marcelles Apodaca, Jacob Schmidt; along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.

She is preceded in death by her mother, father, husband, brothers Lavon Sr., Reuben, Isaac Sr., Elgin, and sisters Serena Evening, and Carlene Jackson, one granddaughter Patricia Pabawena, two grandsons Derrick Schmidt and Jesus Apodaca and a nephew Jesus Torres Jr. 

Vida was deeply loved by her family, and they have been blessed to have such a great woman in their life. She had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with numerous families that she loved dearly. She will be missed by many.

She will be brought to her home beginning Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at her residence at 212 Ballard Road. She will be laid to rest with traditional services on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Gibson Cemetery at 2:00 pm. Arrangements are being conducted by Colonial/Wilks Funeral Home.

We extend our gratitude to Portneuf Medical Center doctors and staff, along with Colonial/Wilks Funeral Home.