Myra "Gail" (Lowder) Ballard Burgess

Myra ”Gail” Lowder Ballard Burgess, 82, of China Grove, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 17, 2020 after a period of declining health.

Born February 14, 1938 in Cabarrus County, she was the daughter of the late Baxter Efird Lowder and Willie Pauline Tanner Lowder.

In addition to her parents Gail is preceded in death by her first husband Reginald A. Ballard, second husband John Charles (Jay) Burgess and her younger sister Diane Pettigrew.

Gail Graduated from AL Brown High School, class of 1956. She spent her career working for companies such as Cannon Mills in sheet department, Walker Shoe MFG Co. Granite Quarry, Perfect Fit MFG Co. Richfield NC., Federal Pacific, New London NC, and Mt. Pleasant Knit MFG Co. She was an avid reader and enjoyed going to estate sales and auctions. Gail loved country and gospel music. She enjoyed listening and dancing to live music at the Concord Senior Center and the YMCA in Kannapolis, where she had many friends. Gail was a world traveler and loved visiting most of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Scotland, and especially places that had musical shows such as Branson MO, Pigeon Forge TN, and Myrtle Beach SC.

Gail is survived by her son Jeffrey David Ballard; granddaughters, Alexandria and Allison Ballard, Katrina Papacharalambous; great grandson Tiernan; Brothers Kenneth Ray Lowder and Michael Lowder( Carol).

Funeral services to honor her life will be held at Whitley’s Funeral Home chapel in Kannapolis on Monday, December 21, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. with the Rev. Beaver Hammond officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com