Ruth Ballard

Ruth Rebecca Searcy Ballard, 83, of Spartanburg, SC, died Wednesday, December 16, 2015, at Spartanburg Medical Center. Born September 20, 1932, in Lake Lure, NC, she was the daughter of the late Melvin and Elsie Wright Searcy and wife of Arthur T. Ballard, Jr. (Lt. Col. USAF-Retired) of Spartanburg, SC. Mrs. Ballard was an active member of the "Wives of Vietnam POWS" during the years of her husband's internment during the late 1960's until their release in 1973. After her husband's release and their move to Spartanburg, Mrs. Ballard worked for and retired from the TimBar Corporation of Spartanburg. She received her AA Degree from Spartanburg Junior College and BA Degree from USC-Upstate. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Ballard is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Faye and Clifton Moffit of Arden, NC; daughter-in-law, Libby Johnson of Thousand Oaks, CA; brothers and sisters-in-law of the Ballard Family, Shirley Ballard, Faye and Lewis Ballard, Gail and Wayne Ballard, Evelyn Ballard, Sarah and James Ballard, and Carolyn Davis; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Dr. Kevin D. Ballard. The family will receive friends and relatives 9:30-10:45 AM Monday, December 21, 2015, at First Baptist Church of Spartanburg. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM, at the church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Don Wilton. Private entombment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Complex, Spartanburg, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ruth's honor may be made to Spartanburg First Baptist Church, 250 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ruth Searcy Ballard please visit our Sympathy Store.