Era Ballard

Mrs. Era Boyd Ballard, age 94, of 59 Ash Street, Rome, GA, died Sunday, March 12, 2006, at her residence.Mrs. Ballard was born in Madison County, Al on October 13, 1911, the daughter of the late George Foster and Mary Matilda Osborne Boyd. She was member of St. Luke United Methodist Church and was a homemaker. Mrs. Ballard worked at Celanese Corporation for ten years. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who always set good examples. Mrs. Ballard was a wonderful cook and loved flowers. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ballard was preceded in death by her husband, James Edgar (J.E.) Ballard; a son, Robert Boyd Ballard; a daughter, Billie Faye Selman; and a great-granddaughter, Kristen Anderson.Mrs. Ballard is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne H. and Martha Ballard of Rome, and Douglas Gene and Sandy Ballard of Acworth, GA; two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Frances and Willard Nelson of Rome, and Tera Mae and Roy Silvers of Rome, nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; three great-great- grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Elizabeth Boyd of Fayetteville, TN. Several nieces and nephews also survive.Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 14, 2006, at 2:00 P.M. in St. Luke United Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Bowen and Rev. Douglas Gene Ballard officiating. Interment will follow in the Oaknoll Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Ballard will lie-in-state at the church from 1:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.Mrs. Ballard will remain in the Heritage Chapel of the Jennings Funeral Home where the family will receive friends Monday from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. The following gentlemen have been asked to serve as pallbearers and are requested to meet at St. Luke United Methodist Church on Tuesday by 1:30 P.M.: Steve Silvers, Robert Day, Bobby Winkler, Brian Ballard, Douglas Gene Ballard, and Jimmy Swanson.Please join Mrs. Ballard's family in honoring her life by visiting www.jenningsfunealhome.com to post tributes and share memories.