Earl Ballard

Earl Glenn Ballard, age 72, gained eternal rest, April 21, 2012 at Providence Hospital, after a battle with lung cancer. Earl was born May 27, 1939 in Kipling, NC. He entered the U.S. Army in 1957 and remained in the military until 1967. Earl was one of the original drill sergeants in the U.S. Army. He obtained a rank of Staff Sergeant. Some of his awards were: Expert Infantry Badge, the Drill Sergeant Badge, Army Commendation Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Earl was also a member of the Fort Jackson Masonic Lodge #374. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rites, The Valley of Columbia. After leaving the Army, he went to work for General Electric Co. for the next 30 years. Surviving Earl are his sisters, Mable and Rebecca; his daughter, Diana Evans and her husband Doug Evans; his nephew Thorsten Killius and family; and his nine grandchildren, to include: Chadley, Alex, Savannah, Tayler, Shane, Olivyah, Shelby, Hunter and Houston. He was preceded in death by his wife Maria and his son, Max Earl. A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at Greenlawn Serenity Gardens, Windwan Road Columbia, SC. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a donation be made to the Horrell Hill Independent Baptist Church Building Fund, 160 Fox Meadow Lane, Hopkins, SC 29061.