Vergie Mae Ballard

Vergie Mae Ballard, 93, of Amarillo, passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Kentucky Ave. Church of Christ, 1612 W. Kentucky Ave in Pampa, with Scott Futrell, Minister officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive in Amarillo.

Vergie was born March 5, 1931 in McLean, Texas to Noah and Lucy Smith. She graduated from McLean High School. Vergie married her husband Houston “Red” Ballard on July 6, 1957 in McLean. They enjoyed 51 years of marriage together, having raised their daughter, Marilyn in Pampa. Vergie remained in Pampa until 2013, when she moved to Amarillo to be closer to family.

Vergie dedicated her life to caring for her family. She was a talented seamstress, and made Marilyn’s clothes when she was growing up. She and Red enjoyed traveling in their RV. In her spare time, Vergie enjoyed doing yard work and hosting family dinners. She was the family photographer, and loved the time she could spend with her family.

Vergie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Houston “Red” Ballard; four brothers, Vergal Smith, J.N. Smith, and Raymond Smith, and Ronnie Smith; and a sister, Edith Smith.

Survivors include a daughter, Marilyn Miller and husband Russell of Amarillo; three step-daughters, Annette Plichter and husband Tom of Bellflower, CA, Marti Savedra and husband Clarence of Palmdale, CA, and Sandra Grate of Marshville, NC; a brother, Don Smith and wife Barbara of Amarillo; a sister, Annette Horton of Tyler, TX; two grandchildren, Stephanie Curry and husband Adam of Amarillo, and Shawn Miller and wife Anna of Canyon; four step-grandchildren, Tommy Plichter of Bellflower, CA, Cynthia Perez of Palmdale, CA, Diane Spaine of Ritzville, WA, and Tami Worley of Marshville, NC; and her four precious great-grandchildren, Bryanna, Hayleigh, Kendall and Kayden.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Hillside Heights Rehabilitation for the many years of loving care that they gave to Vergie. They would also like to thank BSA Hospice of the Southwest for the attentive care that Vergie received during her final days.

The family suggests memorial donations may be made to Kentucky Ave. Church of Christ, 1504 Kentucky Ave. Pampa, TX 79065.