Marjory "Marge" Alice Ballard

Marjory Alice Henderson Ballard, 86, of Clay St, Grafton, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Grafton City Hospital following a brief heart ailment. Marge was born on March 6, 1939 in Hammond, Marion County, West Virginia, the youngest child and only daughter of the late Charles Nicholas Henderson and Marjory McKinney Henderson. After her mother died when Marge was just three years old, she was lovingly raised by her maternal aunt and uncle, the late Gertrude "Tudie" McKinney Shaffer and Ralph Vincent Shaffer. After spending her early years at the McKinney family homestead on East Grafton Road near the Hammond community, Marge later moved with Tudie and Ralph to Grafton. Marge attended the public schools of Taylor County, and had fun stories of the countless walks from the family home on Ona Street to West Grafton Grade School (where Marge served as a patrol), Grafton Junior High School, and finally Grafton High School where she was a member of the Class of 1957. Following high school employment at Barton's Department Store, Marge worked several years at Malone's Pharmacy in Grafton where she made life-long friendships with co-workers and the many patrons who visited the lunch counter. One of these patrons, the late James Delano "Jim" Ballard of Grafton, became more than a friend when the two were wed on June 6, 1959 at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Grafton, embarking on a 63 year marriage that lasted until Jim's passing on November 13, 2022. Shortly after their marriage, Marge and Jim moved to Fairmont where she embarked on a nearly forty-year career at the Westinghouse factory- later to be named North American Phillips, and finally Philips Lighting - working as a packer, tester, relief operator, and office administrator. Marge loved her time at "the plant," especially the twenty some years she worked the midnight shift, and had countless stories of friendships and antics with colleagues - many involving her best friend Patty Crouse of Fairmont. Working midnights also allowed her to spend more time camping at Twin Lakes near Belington, which she and Jim enjoyed with family and friends for many years. While with Westinghouse/Phillips, Marge was a proud member of the International Union of Electrical Workers Local 627. She also enjoyed being part of a women's bowling league made up of fellow workers, which competed several times in tournaments as far away as Las Vegas, Nevada. Marge was a natural at being "in command" and passionately engaged in her love of cars and driving, especially her devotion to Buick. "I won't buy it unless it says B-U-1-C-K across the hood!"Just before her retirement on April I, 1999, Marge and Jim moved back to Grafton. Following her career, Marge was an active member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, United Methodist in Grafton, and enjoyed spending countless hours with family and friends. She also continued to engage in her lifelong passions of reading and supporting the Pittsburgh Steelers and the WVU Mountaineers. Marge is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Winifred Kay "Wynne" Shaffer Proudfoot and Charles "Chuck" Proudfoot of Grafton; sister-in-law Kathy Shaffer of Huntington; special nephews Chad N. Proudfoot and Darrel "Rocky" Loughry ( and wife Kathy) of Grafton; close friends Kathy Green, Edith Fitzwater, and Allison Fitzwater of Grafton; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss her dearly. A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00AM, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at the West Virginia National Cemetery with Pastor Matt Dotson officiating. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bartlettfuneralhomewv.com Bartlett Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ballard family.

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