Obituary of Travis Balenger

Funeral services for Travis Edward Balenger, age 89, of Ranburne, AL, will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Macedonia Baptist Church with Bro. Kris Henderson officiating and the eulogy given by Mark David Smith and Matthew Smith.  Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery with Benefield Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00-7:00 PM on Monday, January 13, 2025.  Mr. Balenger will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to services beginning on Tuesday.

Mr. Balenger passed away Sunday, January 12, 2025, at his home.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Shirley Ann Patterson Balenger of Ranburne; three daughters, Tammy Gibbs (Randy) of Roanoke and Rita Smith (Tim) and Brenda Hall (Tim), both of Ranburne; one son, Tracy Balenger (Kirsten) of Powder Springs, GA; seven grandchildren, Matthew Smith (Caitlin), Kristin Cummings (Russ), Joseph Gibbs (Jessica), Mark David Smith (Kaitlin), Emily Hall, Nicholas Balenger, and Brady Balenger; and five great-grandchildren, Drew Cummings, Raegan Smith, Ryleigh Smith, Bailee Gibbs, and Norah Grace Smith.

Pallbearers will be Nicholas Balenger, Brady Balenger, Matthew Smith, Mark David Smith, Joseph Gibbs, and Tim Hall.

A Ranburne native, Mr. Balenger was born on August 16, 1935, the son of Louis Ray and Vera B Whitman Balenger.  He was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and served in the United States Army during the Panama Canal conflict.  Mr. Balenger was retired from Cleburne County as the county treasurer.  He was also a cattle farmer and was a member of the Cattlemen’s Association.  Mr. Balenger was preceded in death by his parents and three great-grandchildren, Ansley Cummings, Grayson Cummings, and Cason Smith.