Keith Alvin Ballard, Sr.

Keith Alvin Ballard, Sr., 88, of Drexel, NC died on Wednesday, October 21, 2015.  Born in Lincoln County, NC on September 24, 1927, he was the son of the late Horace W. Ballard and Ethel Burke Ballard.  Keith was a member of United Baptist Church where he had served as a church deacon and church treasurer.  During WWII, he served as a merchant marine in the North Atlantic Ocean.  Keith operated a jewelry store in Lowell, NC before becoming a computer service technician.  After his retirement he continued to work on watches and grandfather clocks.

Mr. Ballard is survived by his sons, Keith Alvin Ballard, Jr. and his wife, Heddie, of Baltimore, MD, James Sidney Ballard and his wife, Beverly, of Hickory, NC, Gary Ballard of Greenville, SC, and Michael Ballard and his wife, Lynn, of Drexel; grandchildren, Allison, Nathan, Lauren, Justin, Travis, Jamie, Jodi, and Joni; five great-grandchildren; and siblings, Harold Ballard, Dwight Ballard and his wife, Billie, Darrell Ballard and his wife, Doris, and Helen Turner and her husband, Columbus.

In addition to his parents, Keith was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ruth Herrin Ballard; and a sister-in-law, Sallie Ballard.

The family will receive friends from 3 – 4 p.m., Sunday, October 25, 2015 at United Baptist Church.  The funeral will be held at the church at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Don Willis and the Rev. Steve Matthews officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Village, 1265 21^st Street NE, Hickory, NC 28601.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family.