Martha “Marty” McCall Ballard, 83 of Macon, NC passed away in the early morning hours of February 10th, 2023.
Marty was born in Brevard, NC on April 4th, 1939, to Judson and Molly McCall.
After graduating from Brevard High School, she went on to study nursing at the University of South Carolina.
Marty married Marion “Buddy” Wingard of Columbia, SC in 1960 and the two had their only child, Robby in November of 1961. Sadly, Buddy passed away at the young age of 29. As a single mother, Marty and Robby moved to Atlanta where she earned her master’s in nursing from Emory University.
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Upon returning to Columbia, SC, Marty re-connected with a high school classmate, Harry Ballard Jr. and they were married in 1972. The family moved to Cary, NC in 1973 and remained there until Marty and Harry moved to their Lake Gaston home in the early 90’s. Upon Harry’s passing, Marty remained at her lake home until 2019.
Marty was passionate about helping others through her lifelong career in the nursing field. In addition to her master’s degree, Marty also earned her nurse practitioner’s degree where she specialized in the field of family medicine.
She served the state of NC and taught classes at UNC – Chapel Hill. She founded Lamaze of Cary and taught natural childbirth classes for several years.
Marty was a charter member of Lakeside Lutheran Church in Littleton, NC. She enjoyed volunteering at the church, entertaining and providing meals and goodies to visitors, gardening and relaxing at the lake.
Marty was predeceased by her father and mother, siblings Pearl, Charles, Margaret and Carl. She is survived by her son and daughter in law, Rob and Lisa Wingard, her grandchildren, Lauren Wingard, Jordyn Bloemeke, Emily Wingard and Robby Wingard, her great grandchildren George, Edith and Pia Bloemeke and her sisters Lois Meyer and Betty Sibley.
The family will hold a “Celebration of Life” service at the Lakeside Lutheran Church in Littleton, NC on March 25th at 12:00 pm.
Immediately following the service, there will be a luncheon at the church fellowship hall to share fond memories of Marty’s life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lakeside Lutheran church in Littleton, NC in Marty’s memory.
Friends may sign the online register by visitingwww.hockadayfs.com
Hockaday Funeral & Cremation service is serving the Ballard family.