Betty Anne Ballard

Betty Anne Ballard, age 88, of White Lake, passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at her home. Left to cherish her memory are her loving children: Bob Ballard, Becky Mitton, Barry Ballard, and Bethany (Maurice) Girata; and her sister, Carolyn Pierce.

Betty was born August 16, 1933, in Evansville, Indiana, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Harry and Selma (Byers) Foster. She was introduced to Robert Ballard when he was stationed in Alaska during his time in the service. Betty became Robert’s pen pal, and eventually they started dating, fell in love, and were married on December 27, 1953, sharing sixty wonderful years together until Robert’s passing on December 17, 2012. Although Betty spent four years working as a telephone operator, she always called herself a stay at home mom; she was a wonderful mother who greatly enjoyed taking care of her four kids.

Betty loved to travel, and had many fond memories of the road trips to California; and especially the family trips to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where she loved to go hiking and search for waterfalls. Betty was an excellent cook and baker, and often baked cakes and snacks for her children to share with their classmates. In her free time, Betty could always be found working in her flower garden or on her latest sewing project. She was a wonderful woman who will be missed terribly.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Selma; her loving husband, Robert Ballard; and her son-in-law, Thomas Mitton.

Betty’s family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at the Union Lake Chapel of the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 1233 Union Lake Road, White Lake, Michigan 48386. A funeral service will take place at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, with burial to follow at Oxbow Lakeside Cemetery in White Lake.