Houston Ballard

SERVICES: 2:00 PM Thursday, July 24, 2008, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel, with Billy T. Jones, minister of Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, officiating.BURIAL: Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Ballard was born February 10, 1923 in Poolville. He was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force, serving during World War II. Red married Vergie Mae Smith on July 6, 1957 in McLean. He had been a resident of Pampa since 1962. He retired in 1986 from Southwestern Bell Telephone after 39 years of service. Red was a member of the West Side Church of Christ.SURVIVORS: Wife: Vergie Ballard of the home; 4 daughters: Marilyn Kay Miller and husband Russell of Amarillo, Dorothy Annette Plichter and husband Thomas of Bell Flower, California, Martha Gail Savedra and husband Clarence of Palmdale, California; and Sandra Lou Grate and husband Charles of Corning, California; 1 sister: Annie Mae Robbins of Perrin; 2 brothers: Virgle Ballard and Raymond Ballard, both of Poolville; 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren. Red was preceded in death by his parents: Eligah and Sarah Ballard; 3 brothers: Bill Ballard, Hubert Ballard and Carl Ballard; and a grandson: Chuck Grate.MEMORIALS: American Heart Association, 2514 82nd Street, Suite B, Lubbock, Texas 79423, or American Cancer Society, c/o Gerry Caylor, 2130 Charles, Pampa, Texas 79065.