Mary Grace Ballard

    Mary Grace Riggs Ballard, age 87, of Loretta, KY returned to her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.   She was born in Marion County, KY on February 1, 1935, to the late Charles Thurman Riggs and Mary Mildred Hagan Riggs.

     She was a retired homemaker and was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church.

    Besides her parents she is also preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Louis Mearl Ballard, Sr., having united in marriage on September 25, 1954 and a sister, Mary Kathleen Riggs Beckmann.

    She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Debbie Wicke (Gordon) and Rita Cissell (Rodger); two sons, Louis Mearl Ballard, Jr. (Lisa) and Kevin Ballard (Arlene); eight grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; five brothers, Joseph Ardene Riggs, Sr., Charles Leon Riggs (Pat), Thomas Jerry Riggs (Kathy), James Stanley Riggs (Phyllis) and Joseph Herman Riggs (Betty); a sister, Martha Sue Riggs Shook (Tim); brother-in-law, Clarence Beckmann and a host of other nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

    Mary was strong in her faith, attending church regularly, and was very devout to the Blessed Mother.  She loved her family, loved to sing, laugh, was very funny and had a great sense of humor.  Mary was a great cook and her fried chicken was the very best.  Mary also loved to root for her favorite basketball teams.

    Funeral service will be conducted at 10 am on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, in the chapel of Schoppenhorst, Underwood and Brooks Funeral Home (Preston Highway at Brooks Road) with burial to follow in the Hebron Cemetery.  Friends may pay their respects on Monday, September 12, 2022, from 3 pm until 8 pm and on Tuesday from 9 am until time of service at the funeral home.