MARY ANN BALLEW

July 4, 1924 - September 19, 2013

MARY H. BALLEW STAUNTON, VA Mary Ann (Howe) Ballew, 89, of 142 Mt. Ida Lane, Staunton, passed away on Tuesday evening at Augusta Health. She was born on July 4, 1924 in Hampton, Virginia, the daughter of the late Elliot Lincoln and Louise (Crockett) Howe, and moved to Mount Solon in the 1930s. She was preceded in death by a brother, James Howe, and a sister, Elsie (Howe) Dewan Dexter. After graduating as valedictorian from North River High School in the 1940s, Mary Ann graduated from Dunsmore Business College. She worked at Staunton Farm Credit as bookkeeper prior to her marriage and the birth of her children and returned to this position in 1964. She was very active in Mint Spring United Methodist Church, serving faithfully and taking leadership roles with the United Methodist Women, the Sewing Bee, the Aunt Emmie Sunday School Class, and devoted herself to the numerous other service projects at the church and within the community. In addition to her service to Mint Spring UMC, Mary Ann was a former member and active leader in the Country Gardeners and the Blue Triangle Club. On March 17, 1946 Mary Ann Ballew married the late William Hunter Ballew. This partnership created numerous children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and set the standard for the love, kindness, and compassion that continues to unite our family. Mary Ann is survived by three daughters, six grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Sandra Howe Ballew, of Harrisonburg; Patricia (Ballew) Earhart and her husband George "Ronnie" Earhart of Mint Spring; Cynthia (Ballew) Jarvis and her husband Kevin Jarvis of Mint Spring. Grandchildren and great grandchildren include Amy (Earhart) Piner of Mint Spring, wife of William Piner and mother of Abigail Madison Piner and Sarah McKinsey Piner; Katie (Huffman) Rawlings of Ruckersville, wife of Michael Rawlings and mother of William Howe Rawlings, James Atkins Rawlings, and Grantley Ballew Rawlings; Todd Hunter Earhart of Fishersville, husband of Patricia (Yeager) Earhart and father of Elijah Hunter Earhart and Alexander James Earhart; and Robert Wesley Huffman of Washington, DC and his fiancé Stephanie Sautter. Grandchildren also include Lauren Ashby Jarvis of Austin, TX, and Christopher Ryan Jarvis of Mechanicsville, VA and his wife, Jessica. As long time members of the Ballew-Berry family, Mary Ann also shared a special bond with Evelyn Berry and Anna Ruth (Barnett) Berry. She was also very close with Karin Dewan, William Dewan, and Molly Dewan Brady. A funeral will be held at 2:00 PM at Mint Spring United Methodist Church on Friday, September 20, followed by a graveside service at Thornrose Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Scott Glenn, Robert Glenn, Thomas Dewan, William Dewan, Warren Halvorson, John Matherly, Glenn Shickel and James William. Honorary Pallbearers include the Mint Spring United Methodist Women, the Mint Spring United Methodist Sewing Bee, the Mint Spring United Methodist Aunt Emmie Sunday School Class, Dr. H. Lynn Moore, William Young, Adam Glenn, Matthew Glenn, and Andrew Glenn The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM-7:30 PM at Mint Spring United Methodist Church on Thursday, September 19, 2013. They will also receive visitors at her residence at other times. Memorial contributions may be made to Mint Spring United Methodist Church or the Mint Spring United Methodist Building Fund, P.O Box 14 Mint Spring, VA 24463.