LANCASTER, SC ~ Mrs. DeLee Laverne Garner Smith Ballard, age 77, passed away Sunday, August 13, 2023. She was born July 22, 1946, in Gastonia, NC, a daughter of the late Wilton Laverne Garner and Dorothy Lee Lovingood Garner and was the wife of Willis "Will" Franklin Ballard, Jr. Mrs. DeLee graduated Magna Cum Laude at MUSC with a bachelor's degree in Laboratory Technician. She was a very adventurous person who loved skydiving, diving, swimming, and playing sports, especially tennis and pickle ball. Mrs. DeLee also enjoyed traveling, staying in her mountain home, cross stitching, reading, watching movies, playing cards with her bridge club, and shagging. Family was most important to her, and she loved spending time with all of them. She was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Mrs. DeLee is survived by her husband of 38 years, Will Ballard; her daughters, LeSheay Burchfield and Carrie Lee Mabry; Will's daughters, Mary Elizabeth Lyles (Alan) and Jennifer Page (Tim); ten grandchildren; six great grandchildren; a sister, DeLinda Ensley (Al); a brother, DeWayne Garner (Nancy); and a nephew, Scott Ensley.

Mrs. DeLee was preceded in death by her parents, Wilton and Dorothy Garner.

The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. DeLee will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, August 19, 2023, at First United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Neal Woods.

The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. For those who wish, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 608, Lancaster, SC 29721 or American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.