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Mary Elizabeth Britt Ballard

April 30, 1936 — February 3, 2025

Laurens, SC

Mary Elizabeth Britt Ballard

Mary Elizabeth Britt Ballard, age 88, embraced her beloved Jesus at 8:22pm on Monday, February 3, 2025 following a brief illness. Mary joined the Church Triumphant while her son, Paul, read to her from Revelation 21, “A New Heaven and a New Earth.” She lived her life as a devout, lifelong Christian who loved Jesus, her family, and the University of Alabama football. 

Mary grew up in LaGrange, NC, the daughter of Leonard R. and Pearl P. Britt. Mr. Britt was a CPA and Mrs. Britt was a lifelong educator. After graduating from high school, Mary attended Salem College for two years before transferring to Greensboro College where she graduated with a major in Religion. 

Mary would later receive her teaching certificate which led her to teach at a school in Fuquay Varina, NC, where she subsequently met the love of her life, Marion Ballard, at a water cooler in the school hallway. The wife of the school principal was instrumental in Mary being hired there because she had previously known Mary’s mom, Pearl, and had, in fact, introduced Leonard and Pearl to one another many years before. When she found out that Pearl Britt’s daughter had applied for a teaching position, she made sure her husband hired her. 

Throughout her life, Mary was most happy at the beach and loved spending time there. Having grown up in Eastern NC, she was never more than a few hours away. One particular beach escapade landed Mary in trouble with her older sister, Peggy, but created a lifelong bond with her nephew, Frank. This occurred when Mary was in charge of babysitting Frank one summer while he and his parents were visiting Leonard and Pearl in LaGrange. Mary had the opportunity to visit extended family at their summer cottage at Wrightsville Beach and decided it was time for her and Frank to take a road trip - apparently against specific instructions from Frank’s mother, Peggy. The two of them happily set off for the beach in spite of those instructions and had a trip that was still a vivid, cherished memory 66 years later. 

Mary and Marion were married in 1960, and after which one was never seen without the other. They were “joined at the hip” as described by their son, Clark. They were married for 64 years and remained totally devoted to each other throughout their lives. Their journey took them through multiple states including, North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, and finally landing at Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Community in Laurens South Carolina. No matter where they were they were always active members serving in a local church body, whether it was teaching Sunday School, leading small group Bible Studies, singing in the choir (Mary), or just telling someone how to know their personal Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Along with Mary’s various church leadership roles over the years, she was also an avid writer, keeping many journals, and even in her early 80’s wrote a book journaling her personal testimony titled “I’m Saved; What Now.” Sharing the gospel and encouraging others in their faith was a chief joy in her life. Her favorite scripture passage was Psalm 42:2 “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Another passage that she noted as important was Psalm 63:1: “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” - Psalm 63:1 (NIV) Mary was known for sending handwritten letters and cards with scripture tailored to the needs of the recipients. Her faith extended even to her love for Alabama football, where she wrote letters of encouragement—and sometimes coaching advice—to Coach Nick Saban as one of their most devoted fans. 

Mary is survived by her husband, Marion H. Ballard of Laurens, SC, two sons, Clark R. Ballard (Jill) of Greenwood, SC and the Reverend Dr. Paul Ballard (Libbie) of Thomasville, GA; four grandchildren, Evan Ballard (Rebecca) of Wichita, KS; Emily Ballard of Aiken, SC; Lauren Ballard Warren (Aaron) of Louisville, KY; Matthew Ballard (Lindsay) of Burlington, NC; four (five in June) great-grandchildren – Norah, Ellie, and Hayes (June 2025) Ballard; Hadley and Hannah Warren. Other family members who will greatly miss her presence are devoted nephew Frank Keel (Kim) of Rock Hill, SC and niece, Meg Keel of Nashville, TN; along with many other great-nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Pearl and Leonard Britt and her sister, Margaret Britt Keel. 

The family plans a private celebration of life later this month. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: 4550 Montgomery Ave., Suite 1100N, Bethesda, MD 20814 or online via the Tribute Page at https://give.cff.org/triute/maryballard 

Mary will be remembered for her unwavering, steadfast faith, her deep love and devotion to her family and her willingness to share the gospel in any way and at any time she could. Her memory will forever live on, cherished in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. 

“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” - Psalms 42:2 NIV 

The Ballard family is being served by Norton Funeral Home in Hartsville, SC.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Elizabeth Britt Ballard, please visit our flower store.

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