Terry Vernel Ballard Obituary
Mr. Terry Vernel Ballard aka Mr. Tarik Taharah
August 10, 2023
Mr. Terry V. Ballard aka Tarik Taharah was born September 18, 1955, in Saginaw, Michigan to the proud parents of Johnny L. and Nida Pauline (nee’ Terry) Ballard. He passed away on August 10, 2023, at the age of 67 years. Tariq was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
Terry attended Buena Vista High School in Saginaw, Michigan and shortly after joined the military. Following his honorable discharge, he’d been a long-term resident of the Metropolitan Area of Houston, Texas. He acquired his journeyman license and was the owner of Taharah Services of Houston, LLC, for over 30 years. In addition, he was a member of the Houston Masjid of Warith Deen Mohammed (previously Masjid of Al-Islam) for over 30 years.
Terry loved technology, watching movies, taking long walks with his wife on Galveston Island, they often vacationed at his 2nd home in St. Lucia, Caribbean, West Indies. Tarik’s ultimate passion was helping others, he devoted his life to helping others who suffered from Addictions predominately via Alcoholics Anonymous. Besides Terry’s charming wife, his 2nd love was ‘Puggi’ his dachshund.
Terry leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of 31 years, Bertil (Rene’) Taharah, Missouri City, TX; stepson, Peter Lyn Rene’, Houston, TX; daughter Diandrah Chanell Martin; granddaughters Zarinah Martin; Alana Halverson; and grandson Aidan Halverson; one great grandson Avantae (Bubba) Bunch, all of Houston, TX; parents Johnny L. Ballard and Nida Pauline (Terry) Ballard, Longview, TX; five sisters, Saadia Ballard, Longview, TX; Margo Ballard, Toledo, OH; Thamar Ballard, Saginaw, MI; Ava (Timothy) Nichol, Cornelius, NC; Ele (Terry) Smith, Salisbury, NC; brothers-in-law include Na’il Abdul-Rahman of Rialto, California; Coria Rene’, Dallas, TX; Calixte Marshal, New Orleans, LA; Michael Rene’, St. Lucia; Ricardo Marshall, Houston, TX; sisters-in-law include Lorraine Rene’, New York; Beatrice Marshall, Houston, TX; Barbara Marshall, Houston, TX; Lucilla Marshall, New York; uncle John Walter (Earnestyne) Terry, Houston, TX; aunt Shirley Wilson, Indio, CA and a host of nieces and nephews.
Mr. Tarik Taharah was preceded in death by his bother Xavier Alan Ballard; mother-in-law Catherine Marshall; paternal grandparents Lula Ballard and Edmund Ballard; maternal grandparents Mable (Cotton) Terry and Walter Lee Terry.
The family would like to express special thanks to the Houston Masjid of Warith Deen Mohammed and Alcoholics Anonymous Southeast, USA
A burial was held on Monday, August 14th 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Maryam Islamic Center Cemetery (8701 Almeda-Genoa Road, Houston, Texas 77075).
