Ruth Elizabeth Ballard

Obituary: Ruth Elizabeth Bowles Ballard, age 92, passed away on Monday, November 5, 2018, at Accordius Health of Clemmons. She was born in Danville, Virginia, September 16, 1926, the youngest daughter of John G. and Zula Marshall Bowles. Her paternal grandparents were James C. and Wincy Haywood Bowles of Richmond Co., maternal grandparents were John W. and Sarah Nance Marshall of Alexander Co. Mrs. Ballard's roots run deep in North Carolina, having been descended from three North Carolina Revolutionary War soldiers: Benjamin Bowles, Isaac Marshall, and Frederick Hambright. She grew up and lived her life in Kannapolis, NC, a place she loved with all her heart. She graduated from J.W. Cannon High School and then attended business school. She worked for many years in the sewing room of Cannon Mills plant one. In 1973, she used her considerable administrative skills to become director of housekeeping at Holiday Inn, Concord. She also served in the same position at the Holiday Inns, North Tryon and Sugar Creek in Charlotte, and prior to her retirement was housekeeping supervisor for the environmental services department at NorthEast Medical Center, Concord. She was an avid gardener. Her home at 1003 Valley Street was recognized by the City of Kannapolis and chosen to be included in a tour of homes and gardens. She also was very talented at sewing and crocheting. Over the years she created beautiful heirlooms for her children and grandchildren, which will be lovingly passed to future generations. A lifelong Democrat, she was most proud of being one of the oldest volunteers in the 2012 re-election campaign of President Barack Obama, and, as a result or her work, received an invitation to the inauguration. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her former husband of thirty-two years, Ralph H. Ballard; three brothers, James C. Bowles, Haywood C. Bowles, Arvin M. Bowles; and three sisters, Pauline Bowles Bost, Margie Bowles Kirkman, and Nell Bowles Poole. She is survived by two daughters, Brenda Ballard Pflaum (Marvin), of Hudson, Ohio, Cathy Ballard Greene (Lawrence), of Clemmons, one son, Harold Ballard (Marilyn) of Longs, South Carolina; six grandchildren, Stephanie Pflaum, of Seattle, Washington, Stuart Pflaum, of Hudson, Ohio, Julia Pflaum Gandy (Alex), of Westlake, Ohio, Elizabeth Woosley Bragg (Joshua), Allyson Woosley Anderson (Justin), Nina Woosley (Alan Beck), all of Winston-Salem; and five great grandchildren, Parker Bragg, Charlie Ray Beck, Easton Anderson, Henry Gandy, and Clark Gandy. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the Bowles family plot of Kannapolis Cemetery, with the Reverend Craig Allen of Memorial Methodist Church officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside service at Memorial Methodist Church. Whitley's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family would like to express its appreciation to the staff of Clemmons Village, Mountain Valley Hospice of Yadkinville, and Accordius Health of Clemmons for the care they have provided. Memorials can be made to Mountain Valley Hospice at 401 Technology Lane, Ste. 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030.
Visitation: Following the graveside service at Memorial Methodist Church

Service: 2:00 PM Thursday November 8, 2018 Kannapolis Cemetery

Interment: Kannapolis Cemetery