Henry Leigh Ballance Jr.

Leigh was born in Washington, NC on April 2, 1946. He graduated from East Hyde High School in Engelhard, NC, and attended The Citadel where he graduated in 1968 with a degree in business administration.

Leigh was married to Mary Patterson (Patsy) Latham on June 29, 1968; they were married 54 years.

After graduating from The Citadel, Leigh received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. He served as a helicopter pilot with the Americal Division in Vietnam from 1970-1971.

After he was honorably discharged from the Army, Leigh became a management trainee at Peoples Bank in Rocky Mount, NC. He enjoyed many years in banking before becoming interested in several entrepreneurial endeavors. He eventually found great satisfaction as a general contractor and commercial developer in Wake, Nash, Edgecombe, Harnett, and Wilson Counties.

Leigh was very active in the ministries of Millbrook United Methodist Church and also participated in and led Lay Renewal weekends throughout North Carolina and Virginia.

Leigh is survived by his wife Patsy; his daughter Holly Neal and husband Bradley of Wilson, NC; his son Seth Ballance of Zebulon; his grandsons Mason and Dylan Neal of Raleigh; his brothers Lamar Spencer and wife Mary of Fairfield, NC, and Garry Spencer and his wife Ginger of Albemarle; sisters-in-law Suzanne Newton of Raleigh, Sandy Latham of Columbia, SC; brother-in-law Hannis Latham and wife Betty Jo of Tucson, AZ; many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Cuthrell Spencer and Henry Leigh Ballance, both of Hyde County.

The celebration of Leigh’s life will be Wednesday, December 21, at 2:00 p.m., at Millbrook United Methodist Church located at 1712 E. Millbrook Road in Raleigh. A reception will follow in the Pryor-Bradford Christian Ministry Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Children’s Home Society of NC, the Methodist Home for Children, Millbrook United Methodist Church, or a charity of one’s choice.

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