James Everett Ballard

Asheville – James Everett Ballard, 81, of 14 Mann Road, died Thursday, April 7, 2005, at the Laurels of Summit Ridge. A native of Buncombe County, he was the son of the late Robert Wayne and Alta White Ballard. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Evelyn Ballard Owens and Annabelle Ballard Davis and one brother, Dwight Wesley Ballard. Mr. Ballard retired from the parts department of the Buncombe County School Bus Garage where he served as purchasing agent. He was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church for over 50 years, having served as a Sunday school teacher, President of the United Methodist Men, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and a Lay Speaker with the United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Billie Redmon Ballard; one daughter. Sharon Ballard Rhodes, and her husband Art, of Gerton; three sons, Thomas Mitchell Ballard of Morganton, Richard Scott Ballard, and his wife Tina, of Anderson, Indiana and Joseph Christopher Ballard, and his wife Mindy, of Arden; six grandchildren, Chaz and Anna Rhodes, Sam Little and Sarah Beth Ballard and Nicholas and Madison Ballard and one sister, Frances Ballard Koon of Asheville. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday in the Bethel United Methodist Church conducted by the Rev. Rosaleen Feeser. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be nephews and friends. The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 pm Friday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Donations may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 1050 Riceville Road, Asheville, NC 28805.