Anita Jean Ballard

Anita Jean Ballard age 78 of Purcell, passed away Thursday, October 31, 2013 in Lexington, OK. She was born on June 27, 1935 in Cushing, Oklahoma. She was the 3rd child of five children born to Otis McKinley Abrams and Lerlie (Powell) Abrams. Anita grew up in Purcell and graduated with the class of 1953. Later that same year she married James Hardin Ballard and together they raised two sons, David and Stephen. In her earlier years, Anita worked as a secretary for her husband and his father at the Ballard Law Firm. She later moved to OKC where she also worked as a secretary for a Bond Broker. After retiring in 2001, she moved back to Purcell, to be close to her son Stephen and his family and to live in the community she called home. Anita was a church member and choir member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Purcell for many years. She was also active in the Purcell community and attended various lady clubs and organizations. She had been a member of the Purcell Gladiolus Garden Club, the Oklahoma Home and Community Extension Club, the Longtime Bridge Club and was a Rotary Cook for the Purcell Rotary Club. Some of her hobbies include being an avid O.U. and Oklahoma Thunder fan, reading and painting. While her grandsons were playing sports in Purcell she was their number one fan. She will be remembered as a loving mother, a wonderful grandmother, a special sister and a dear friend to all that knew her. She was preceded in death by: Parents; Otis and Lerlie Abrams Sister: Mary Carolyn Murrell-Boudreau Ex-husband: James Hardin Ballard She is survived by: Two son: David Ballard and wife Lynn of Salida, CO. Stephen Ballard and wife Carla of Purcell, Three brothers: Herb Abrams of Mission Viejo, CA, Don Abrams and wife Patricia of Houston, TX, Dr. Gary Abrams and wife Jane of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Two grandsons: Adam Ballard and wife Aubrey of Los Angeles, CA, Ryan Ballard and wife Lauren of Edmond, OK, One great grandson: Graham Ballard Also several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 10:00 am Thursday, November 7, 2013 at Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell.

Anita Jean Ballard

June 27, 1935 - October 31, 2013