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Funeral service will be 12:00 Noon on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Bethel AME Northwest.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Margaret Pearl Smith Ballard, daughter of the late Eddie and Mary Taylor Smith, was born in Elizabethtown, NC on June 26, 1941.  She entered into the presence of the Lord on February 22, 2025, at Brunswick Cove Living Center, Winnabow, NC. Pearl, as she was fondly known, grew up in Northwest, and was a graduate of Lincoln High School in Leland, NC, Class of 1959.  She united in Holy Matrimony to Lenwood Ballard, Sr., in Wilmington, NC and they were married for over 60 years. She accepted Christ and joined Bethel AME Church at an early age and faithfully attended until her health failed.  She also served as a Class Leader, Missionary, Lay Secretary and worked diligently in the kitchen along with the late Lila Mae Lacewell.  Pearl worked at France Neckwear for many years.  She was also a blessing to many as a seamstress.  She did alterations and made dresses, curtains and many other items for those in the community and surrounding areas.  One of her fondest, and most rewarding services outside of the home was taking care of baby Sarah from 4 months until her early teens.  Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie and Mary Smith; her son Terris Ballard, her daughter Arnetta Graham, her sisters: Myrtle Ballard Davis, Judy Smith Robinson, and her brother, Joe Willie Smith.  She is survived by those who truly loved her and will always cherish her memories, her husband: Lenwood Ballard, Sr. of the home, daughters: Linda B. Hansley (Oliver) of Wilmington, NC, Marjorie Radford of Leland, NC and Sarah Hackley also of Leland, sons: Kevin Ballard of Springfield, MA and his daughter Chelsea Pearl Ballard of Raleigh, NC, Linnie Donnell Ballard (Angel) of Somerset, NJ, Linwood Ballard, Jr. (Janet) of Leland, NC and Brian Bowens (Glenda) of East Arcadia, NC; 15 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, 2 sisters-in-law: Laura B. Harrison (Franklin) and Rebecca B. Paschall, 1 brother-in-law, Isaac Ballard (Carylon), special friends: Rev. Jimmie Faison, Dizzianne Zimmerman, Catherine Nixon, Evalena Jackson, Delois Boyer, Mary Sue Thompson, Alfredia Radford and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.