Mrs. Janice L Ballard

Nanny, as she was affectionately called, began the next phase of life by going to heaven peacefully surrounded by her family on June 2. She was the youngest child of the late Hilda & John Ackelson. Jan was born in Des Moines, IA and moved to Clayton after her husband, George, retired. She loved life, birds, always had a smile along with a great sense of humor. Her greatest joy was raising her children & the annual family vacations at the beach. She will be missed by all, including her ‘baby’ Patty, her peek-a-poo dog. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Tom Ackelson, Alfred Ackerson & Allen Ackelson; son, George ‘Buddy’ Ballard, Jr.; and grandsons Michael Bucklin & Matthew Bucklin. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, George Ballard; daughter, Ann Bucklin (Dick) of Clayton; sons, Tom Ballard (Cindy) of Des Moines, IA; Dave Ballard (Peggy) of Raleigh; Bob Ballard (Wendy) of Willow Springs; daughter-in-law, Kathy Ballard of Clayton. Grandchildren Ricky Bucklin (Julia) of Clayton; Danny ‘Buck’ Bucklin (Amy) of Wake Forest, Kristy Skinner (Justin) of Clayton; Jamie Ballard (Lisa) of Four Oaks, Bryan Ballard (Kelly) of Clayton, Jennifer Cooper (Ray) of Four Oaks, Thomas ‘TJ’ (Amy) of Windsor Heights, IA, Tina Ballard of Des Moines, IA, Erin Ballard of Atlantic Beach, FL, Megan McVey (Jared) of Charlotte. Great-grandchildren Brittany Bucklin, Brandon Bucklin, Brett Bucklin of Clayton, Taylor Bucklin, Jake Bucklin of Wake Forest, Katelyn Ballard of Clayton, Austin Cooper of Four Oaks, Dalton Ballard, Payton Ballard of Windsor Heights, IA and McKenna Ballard of Des Moines, IA. A visitation will be Saturday, June 7, 2014 from 1-2 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2920 Hwy. 42, Clayton, NC with the service following at 2:00, Pastor Bill Beyer will be officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to: SECU Hospice House, 426 Hospital Rd., Smithfield, NC 27577 or to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2920 NC Hwy. 42, Clayton, NC 27520. Online condolences may be made to the Ballard family at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com. Arrangements by McLaurin Funeral Home, Clayton.