Mary Ballance

Mary Frances Harrell Ballance, age 100, died at home in Winston-Salem on July 7, 2012. She lived most of her life in St. Pauls, NC, where she was born on March 11, 1912, to the late Simmons Thomas Harrell and Mary Ellen McArthur Harrell. Mary Frances graduated from St. Pauls High School in 1929, Montreat College in 1931, and Flora MacDonald College in 1956. She taught elementary school for four years in the 1930s, and from 1956 until her retirement. She will be remembered for her lively and generous spirit, which led her to welcome her brother’s four sons into her home for their school years. Mary Frances was an avid reader and bridge player, loved conversation, music, word jumbles, traveling in the U.S. and abroad with her friends, and being asked to decorate for an event. She was a member of the Wednesday Study Club, the St. Pauls Garden Club, and St. Pauls Presbyterian Church. She taught Sunday School for many years, and was the recipient of a Presbyterian Women Life Membership. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Cutlar L. Ballance Sr.; her sister, Nellie Elizabeth Harrell Hester; and her brother, John Thomas Harrell. She is survived by her son, Cutlar L. Ballance Jr. of St. Pauls; a daughter, Frances B. Wheeler and son-in-law Charles M. Wheeler of Winston-Salem; two grandsons, Brendan S. Wheeler of Brooklyn, NY and Evan M. Wheeler of Somerville, MA; her much-loved nephews, cousins, and the nieces and nephews of her husband, and their families. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 17, in the St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, with interment in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall after the service. McNeill Mackie Funeral Home serving the family in St. Pauls. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, 228 North Old Stage Rd. (PO Box 283), St. Pauls NC 28384; the Annie Hubbard McEachern Public Library, 221 W. Broad St., St. Pauls NC 28384; JDRF Piedmont Triad Chapter, 312 N. Eugene St., Ste. D, Greensboro NC 27401; or a favorite charity. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.