Dorothy "Dot" Ballard

Dorothy “Dot” High Ballard of Wilmington, NC passed away peacefully on December 20, 2025, at the age of 98. Born on July 14, 1927, in Whiteville, NC, Dot was one of 6 children born to Tom J. and Bertha Gooden High.

Dot and her siblings grew up on the family farm in Clarkton and after high school she went to school for nursing. In 1948, Dorothy graduated from James Walker Nursing School. During the polio outbreak, she volunteered with the Red Cross Nurses at the medical school and hospital in Little Rock, AR. She dedicated many years to nursing and her church. Dot was also a long-time member of the Grace United Methodist Church. She was a devoted mother and loving grandmother.

Dot is survived by her children, Jean Ballard, Frank Ingram Ballard, Jr., Thomas Ballard, Frances Ballard Nunnally and Anne Ballard Chandler; 8 grandchildren, Flannery,  Killian, Parish, Clay, Ingram and Will Ballard, Sara and Parks Nunnally, along with many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Dot is preceded in death by her husband, Frank Ingram Ballard, Sr., sister, Betty McKee, four brothers, Wilbur Gray, Harold, James and  Rudolph High and her grandson, Dillan Chandler.

A family graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilmington. A celebration of life will be held at a later date at Grace United Methodist Church.

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