Ruby Ballard Wheelon, age 87, died September 19, 2014 at her residence at Givens Highland Farms where she had lived since April.
A lifelong resident of the Swannanoa Valley, Ruby was born on March 19, 1927 to the late Robert and Edith Ballard in Barnardsville. She grew up in Swannanoa, the fifth of 6 children, June Ballard, Ray Ballard, Helen Ballard, Ruth Ballard and Emma Ballard, now survived by Ruth Ballard Smith.
After marrying William Lawrence Wheelon, now deceased, in November of 1946, Ruby lived the remainder of her life in Black Mountain.
She is survived by her daughters, Janice Wheelon McAdams (John) of Chapel Hill and Susan Wheelon Alvis (Erskine) of Camp Lejeune; and 10 grandchildren.
Her life was long and happy. She loved her church family at Black Mountain Presbyterian where she was a church member her entire adult life.
Ruby died after a short term fight with chronic pulmonary hypertension surrounded by those who loved her.
She leaves behind many lifelong and treasured friends.
Services for Ruby will be held on Friday, September 26, 2014 at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church at 2:00 pm. She will be interred next to her husband at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church General Fund in her honor, PO Box 39, Black Mountain, NC 28711.