INDIAN LAND, SC ~ Sarah "Sally" Ruth Ballard (née Clancy) newly of Indian Land, SC, passed away on Friday, 11 March 2022 in Charlotte, NC. She was born in June 1944 to Joseph Patrick Clancy and Luellyn Wilson Clancy in Lancaster, SC. Sarah attended Converse College earning a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. Later, she earned her Masters of Education at University of Georgia. She married James Bruce Ballard on July 2 ^nd , 1966; and they had three children: Michael Todd Ballard, Caroline Ruth Ballard McGaughey and S.E. Ballard.

Sarah taught high-school English and Theatre for twenty-two years, having touched the lives of thousands of youth and founded the theatre program at South Forsyth High School outside Atlanta, GA. This program culminated in the construction of the high school's first theatre, whose inauguration was honored by local, state and federal representatives. Further, because of her involvement and impact across the state, Sarah was inducted into the Georgia Thespians Hall of Fame in 2004. In retirement, Sarah authored a book on effective teaching, mentored elementary children with learning challenges, and coached burgeoning actors via local community groups.

Sarah aka Sally, Mom, Grammy, Gram, will be dearly missed. Her infectious laugh, direct manner, attention to detail, love of all her family and appreciation for the life she lived to the fullest are qualities we should all strive to attain.

Sarah is preceded in death by her husband Jim, as well as two siblings, Margaret Anne Clancy Reskin and James Stephen Clancy.

She is survived by her three children; ten grandchildren [Michael Devin Ballard (married to Megan Elyse), Angela Ruth Ballard (engaged to Chadwick Russell), James Elijah Ballard (married to Mandy Ellen), Isaac William Ballard, Carrie Faith Ballard, Rebecca Ireland McGaughey, Vivian Grace McGaughey, Michael Wyatt McGaughey, Caroline Tallulah Ballard and Emmett Clyburn Ballard]; three great-grandchildren (Sadie Ellen Ballard, Charlotte Elizabeth Ballard and Jameson Belle Ballard); four siblings (Joseph Patrick Clancy Jr., Thomas Michael Clancy, Maureen Josephine Clancy, and Brian Evan Clancy); and many loving nieces and nephews, including David Michael Morris, who grew up in the Ballard household.

Funeral services will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, 17 March 2022, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Lancaster, SC with Father Javier Heredia officiating. Private Inurnment for family only will follow at First United Methodist Church in Lancaster, SC.

In lieu of flowers, Sarah's family asks that memorial donations be made in her honor to the Converse University (Theatre Department), 580 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302 or The Community Playhouse of Lancaster County, PO Box 1073, Lancaster, SC 29721.