Curtis L. Ballard

Obituary: China Grove, NC Curtis Leon Ballard, 79, of 704 Mitchell Ave died Thursday, May 27, 2010 after a long illness. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, May 30 at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel with Rev. Gary Tankersley officiating. Burial will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 PM Saturday May 29 at Whitley's Funeral Home, at other times they will be at the residence. Born May 24, 1931 in Rowan Co., Curtis was the son of the late Carl M. and Mary Bradshaw Ballard. He was a life long area resident, attending Rowan Co. schools. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving during the Korean Conflict. Curtis was a long time member of the Westside Church of the Nazarene. He was employed with Cannon Mills Co. Plant 1; in the # 4 Card room as a fixer, retiring in 1984 after 30 years of service. He was a talented musician, playing many types of stringed instruments. He loved to play Blue Grass Music and sing with his family. Curtis was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, 2 sisters and a grandson, Steven Michael Ballard. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Evelyn Jordan Ballard of the home and his son, Curtis Michael Ballard (Cathy) of Locust and his daughter, Lisa B. White (Mark) of China Grove, Grandchildren include Shelley Ballard Lanham of Kannapolis, Christy W. Nowak (Jeremy) of Wausau, WI and Julia White of China Grove. He is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren, a brother, James Ballard of Barnwell SC and 5 sisters; Evelyn Coombs of Kinston, Joyce Grubbs of Barnwell SC, Jackie Mullinax of Gaffney SC, Margie Ballard of Barnwell SC, Vera Kluttz of Salisbury and numerous nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and memorial contributions may be made to Westside Church of the Nazarene Building fund, 4700 Isenhour Rd. Kannapolis NC 28081.
Visitation: 6:00 to 8:00 PM Saturday, May 29, 2010 Whitley,s Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 PM Sunday, May 30, 2010 Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel

Interment: West Lawn Cemetery China Grove, NC