Margaret Ann Ballard

Margaret Ann Ballard, 80, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, September 25, 2026 in Gates, NC. Ann was born on July 26, 1946 in Portsmouth, Virginia to the late Margaret Lee Cox Butler and Nelson Andrew Butler.

Along with her parents Ann was preceded in death by her husband, whom she married is 1969, Daniel Y. Dunford; daughter, Lora Ann Dunford; son, Darrell Y. Dunford; and step father, Thomas B. Matthews.

Ann worked at Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters as a secretary to the medical director, and as an administrative secretary at Portsmouth General Hospital. She also worked for pediatrician Dr. Yvonne Dexter, Farm Bureau, and at the Gatesville Social Services.

Ann was a member of Reynoldson Baptist Church, where she enjoyed sending cards to the sick and home bound, crocheting prayer shawls, making soup and delivering it to the sick members of the Gates community through the Gates prayer group. Also making goodies for Gates House and visited the people there.

Ann will be missed by everyone, she never met a stranger who she didn't want to help. Although, Ann did not have any family left she embraced her friends and neighbors and they will treasure her kindness and love.

Services will be held at Reynoldson Baptist Church, 73 Reynoldson Rd, Gates, NC 27937, 11:00 am, Thursday October 1, 2026 with a burial at Olive Branch Cemetery, 2 Cpl M Williams Ave, Portsmouth VA, 23701.