Margaret Parr Ballard

Cornelia Mayor Margaret Parr Ballard, age 64, of Cornelia, GA, passed away Sunday, October 16, 2011 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Born in Dekalb County on February 07, 1947, she was a daughter of Colleen McRea Parr of Demorest and the late Leon Parr.

Recently elected to her second term as mayor, Mrs. Ballard was the first female mayor of Cornelia. While serving as Mayor, and previously on the City Council, she was the President of District 2 of the Georgia Municipal Association, and a member of their Legislative Policy Committee. She served on the GDOT Transportation Roundtable, and was a past member of the NEGA Water Planning Authority.

She was also employed as an administrator with Piedmont College. Mrs. Ballard was a member of the Cornelia First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Tallulah Falls School Board of Directors, past board member of the Quinlan Arts Center in Gainesville, and a long time member in the Garden Clubs of Georgia.
Her dedication to gardening and flower arranging included: 4th Vice President/Membership of the Garden Clubs of Georgia, Treasurer for Garden Therapy, Board Member of Deep South Design, past Laurel District Director and Laurel District Flower Show Schedule and Evaluation Chairman, Member of North Georgia Council of Flower Show Judges and past President, past President and Treasurer of Creative Study Club, Landscape Design Consultant, Environmental Consultant, National Garden Clubs, Inc Master Judge, Member of Carolina Atelier, Member of Creative Floral Arrangers of the Americas (CFAA), and past Board Member of the University of Georgian Botanical Gardens.

Survivors include husband, Philip Ballard of Cornelia; son and daughter-in-law, John and Kathryn Ballard of Cornelia; son, Matthew Ballard of Cornelia; brothers, Leon Parr and Woody Parr both of Cornelia; sister, JoAnne Rollins of Marietta; two grandchildren, Maya and Toby Ballard.

A memorial reception will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, October 20, 2011 at the Cornelia Community House, 601 Wyly Street, Cornelia, GA 30531. A graveside service will follow at 4:00 pm at Level Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that donations be made to the Circle of Hope, PO Box 833, Cornelia, GA 30531.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.