Mary Ballard, age 68, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019 at Cloud County Health Center, Concordia, KS. She was born on March 12, 1950 in Athens, TX., to Marvin & Arline (Pearce) Wardell.

She graduated from Bryan Adams High School 1968. Mary attended Hardin Baylor College and transferred to University Texas Austin and graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor’s degree in history.

She married Robert (Bob) A. Ballard, Jr. on June 3, 1972 in Dallas, TX. They moved to Concordia in 1978. She worked with her husband, Bob for years at Midwest Lumber Co. and later the Concordia Homestore. She later went to work for the City of Jamestown, on Feb. 28, 2004, as their City Clerk until her health forced her to retire in Sept. 2018.

She and Bob were faithful members of the First Christian Church, Concordia, serving their church in various capacities throughout their lives. She was a strong supporter of her husband Bob in his Gideon’s ministry. She was an avid sports fan of UT and KSU athletics.

Mary is survived by her husband, Bob, Concordia; sons, Randy Ballard (Lori), Champagne, Ill.; Joshua Ballard (Katie), KC, MO.; brothers, Joe Wardell (Tricia), Palestine, TX, Mark Wardell (Paula), Garland, TX & John Wardell (Julie), Rockwall, TX; 8 grandchildren & a host of family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Arline.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the First Christian Church, Concordia with Pastor Jason Van Pelt and Elder Kirk Mallette officiating. Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, March 7, 2019 in the Stockton Cemetery, Stockton, KS. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 6, 2019 from 1-8 pm with the family greeting friends from 6-8 pm all at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the First Christian Church or Gideon’s International Fund for purchase of memorial bibles in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.