Olen Roe Ballard

Olen Roe Ballard, age 85, passed away on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Caromont Regional Medical Center.  He was born in Gaston County, son of the late Bud Ballard and Iva Lee Ballard.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughters: Reba Daniel and Juanita Elgin, as well as his sister Brenda McGinnis.  

Olen was an avid family man with an everlasting deep love for his wife. He was a native of Stanley, North Carolina. He very much loved being outdoors, whether it was working in his yard, playing a game of golf, or attending a sporting event with his great-grandson, Eric. He had a great passion for baseball and even had the chance to play professionally when he was younger. Olen was the true definition of a family man, that would do anything to provide for the people he cared about and his family. There wasn’t anything that he couldn’t teach himself to make or fix. He had a great love for his horses and motorcycles. He was the kind of man anyone would want as a friend, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, or husband. He will truly be missed by everyone! (PAWPAW)

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 61 years Elizabeth Vearline Ballard,  granddaughter Katrina Page; grandson Shane Ashe,  his great grandchildren: Eric Simpson, Jayden Jennings, Phoenix Ashe,  Austin Ashe, Haiden Ashe, and Shandy Ashe; his niece Kim Cherry (Randy), his nephew Grady McGinnis (April), as well as his brother Danny Ballard (Wanda).  

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday August 20, 2026 in the Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday also at Woodlawn Funeral Home.  Burial will be private.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Olen Roe Ballard, please visit our floral store.