Mrs. Mary A. H. Ballard, age 90, a longtime resident of Point of Rocks, passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2013 at the Golden Living Center, Frederick. She was the caring wife of the late Joseph R. Ballard who passed away in 1971. Born on August 3, 1922 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of the late Arter S. and Nina E. Alexander. Mrs. Ballard was a graduate of Centennial High School in Muskogee, OK. She doggedly pursued her education eventually achieving a master's degree in accounting from Benjamin Franklin University in Washington DC. She began her working career at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC. She later worked as the comptroller for the Brick Institute, later known as the company SCPI, and finally retired in 1984 as an accountant, working for Frederick Community College. Mrs. Ballard was a member first of the Point of Rocks United Methodist Church, and then later of Bethel United Methodist Church in Stumptown, VA where she enjoyed participating in Habitat for Humanity projects and the annual apple butter fund raiser. Mrs. Ballard was also very active in Soroptimist International of Frederick County, holding various officer positions. Combining her love of singing and dancing, Mrs. Ballard created a fire prevention program which she performed at local nursing homes. In her free time, she enjoyed many activities. She especially enjoyed tap dancing and performed in a dance troupe until she was in her 80's. She was a member of the Frederick YMCA's Swans synchronized swim team and competed in Master events throughout the country. She taught swim lessons at the Ida Lee YMCA pool in Leesburg well into her 70's. Mrs. Ballard was an accomplished china painter, painting both dishes and dolls for family and others. She enjoyed riding her bicycle and participated in the Great Peanut Ride, an annual event in Emporia, Virginia. Musically she played the piano, the accordion and was a soloist at her church. She loved to travel and enjoyed visiting Europe, the Caribbean, and Canada. Mrs. Ballard was an enthusiastic Girl Scout Leader and led the Point of Rocks troop to Puerto Rico to participate in scouting activities. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies Society, based in Leesburg. She was known for her love of ice cream and peaches and claimed "there is always room for ice cream." Mrs. Ballard was the mother of the late Jacqueline Hartman, who passed away in 2001, the stepmother of Judith Fellows and husband Larry of Walkersville and the former mother in law of Robert H. Hartman, Jr. and his current wife Lorraine of Frederick. She was the grandmother of Robert and Julia, the step grandmother of Larry and Jeremy, the great-grandmother of Faith, Samuel, and Jackson, and the step great-grandmother of Emma. Mrs. Ballard was the sister of J.R. Alexander, Donald Alexander, Roy Alexander, Betty Moore, Dena Burdette, Jolee, Nina Virginia, William Childears, and Robert Childears. She is additionally survived by her special niece Francine Alexander who visited her every summer. Friends will be received on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 from 6-8 PM at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church St., Frederick where services will be held in the Etchison Memorial Chapel of the funeral home on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 11 AM. Rev. Kenneth R. Dunnington will officiate. The interment will follow at the St. Paul's Cemetery, Point of Rocks.
