Before joining the Navy on the U.S.S. San Marcos in 1950, where he served two terms from 1950-1954 and 1958-1962, Mr. Ballard worked at Clover Spinning and Rex – Ranlo Mill from 1946-1948 and at Del Monte Foods and The Fisherman’s Wharf Fish Cannery in San Francisco, Calif., from 1948-1950.
Frank married the love of his life Mary in York, S.C., between his two Navy terms. In 1962, he worked at Homelite/John Deere as a supervisor until he retired in 1999. He then went on to work for Circuit City for a year in 2000 and later joined the Wal-Mart crew, where he worked from 2001 through the middle of this year.
Frank got saved in 1951 in Long Beach, Calif., at the age of 21 under Charles E. Fuller of First Baptist Church. He was a charter member and helped build Bowling Green Baptist Church, where he was a deacon for over 40 years, as well as church treasurer, board member and custodian. He was most recently a member of Landmark Baptist Church.
Frank leaves a son Tim Ballard; daughter, Mary Ballard Sigmon and husband Greg; granddaughter, Chandler Sigmon and great-granddaughter, Kyndall Bridges to cherish his memory.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary S. Ballard; sisters, Mary Lee and Ann; as well as a granddaughter, Brittany Leigh Bridges.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the mausoleum chapel at Gaston Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Lincoln County, 900 Dontia Drive, Lincolnton, NC 28092.
The family will be at the home of Mary Sigmon, 2597 Holly Oak Lane, Gastonia, NC
Online condolences and notes of sympathy may be made at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.
Carothers Funeral Home in Gastonia is serving the Ballard family.
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