On Thursday, January 22, 2026, Gladys Ellen Shelton Ballard, 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 6:42 p.m. She accepted the Lord as a young girl and was baptized, and she thoroughly enjoyed attending church throughout her life.

Gladys was born on September 8, 1942, in Madison County, North Carolina, and spent her younger years in Flag Pond, Tennessee. Her family later returned to Madison County, where she graduated from Mars Hill High School. She married Harold Ballard in 1961, and together they spent most of their lives in Buncombe County.

Gladys worked for Square D Company for over 30 years before retiring. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and absolutely cherished her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Ballard; her brothers, Robert, Jerry, Larry, and Edward Shelton; and her sister, Debra Jones.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Anthony "Tony" Ballard (Amy) of Asheville, NC, and Tim Ballard (Wendy) of Johnson City, TN; her sisters, Hazel Willis and Wanda Phillips, both of Mars Hill; her brother, Preston Shelton of London, KY; her grandchildren, Hunter Ballard and Morgan Vance (Captain Ezekeal Vance, U.S. Army); and her great-grandchildren, Cash and Vegas Ballard, and Thaddeus Vance.

A graveside service will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory in Asheville, NC. Pastor Kevin Boone will officiate.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org