Ruby Lee (Shumate) Ballard

Ruby Lee Shumate Ballard, 79, of Statesville, passed away, Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Gordon Hospice House.
Mrs. Ballard was born October 22, 1939 in Wilkesboro, NC and was the daughter of the late Challie Teague and Annie Shumate Teague. She attended Wilkes County Schools and on January 1, 1955, she married James Edward Ballard, who passed away, September 12, 2014.

She was an active member of Diamond Hill Baptist Church for almost 60 years.  She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and Training Union classes and more recently helped with The Good News Club for children on Wednesday afternoons.  There was seldom a Sunday or Wednesday night she was not in church.  If the church doors were open and she was in town, you could count on her attending. 

She also worked as a hairstylist for 48 years.  Her clients were more than paying customers.  She loved them and considered them part of the extended family often going to nursing homes and assisted living facilities to continue doing their hair when they could not make it to her.  
She is survived by one son, Tony Ballard (Laura) of Statesville, one  daughter, Gayle Ballard of Hickory, one granddaughter, Brittany  Whitaker (Wesley) of Statesville; four greatgrandchildren, Nolan  Whitaker of CA, Easton Whitaker of Statesville, Hudson Whitaker of  Statesville, Landry Whitaker of Statesville and two sisters, Georgie  Setzer of Hickory and Judy Shew of North Wilkesboro.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at  Diamond Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Holleman, Rev. Jeff Luxon and Rev. Carl Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Wednesday from 1:00-2:00 pm before the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Diamond Hill Baptist Church Building Fund or to the Gordon Hospice House. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com
Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family of Ruby Ballard.

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