Mr. Gerald Jerome Ballard, 59 of Charlotte, passed away on Friday March 8, 2019.  He was born May 17, 1959 and grew up in Southside Homes.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Karen Ballard, mother, Mildred Butler Ballard and his father, Herbert Jerome Ballard.

Gerald was educated in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System, graduating from Marie G. Davis Elementary and York High School.

Upon graduation, he attended Johnson C. Smith University, where he was an active member of the JCSU Marching Bank.  After graduating in 1982, Gerald continued to show love for his Alma Mater.  His presence was known throughout the campus.

Gerald grew up attending St. Paul Baptist Church, where he read the announcements during the Sunday morning service.

He is survived by his brother, Herbert Butler Ballard; sister-in-law, Brenda Joyce-Ballard; sister, Margaret Bartley, nieces, Tanya Nicole Ballard-Brown, Constance Williams, Pam Walls, Brenda Freeman; nephew, Herbert Butler Ballard, Jr. and a host of in-laws and cousins.  He also leaves many devoted friends and associates, including James Dawkins, Rosalind "Bonnie" Dumas, Wanda Foy-Burroughs and Stanley Ervin.

He loved cooking, sports, and enjoyed interacting with a lot of friends at JCSU.  He always created silly jokes and kept a smile.  To family and friends, he was a "humble spirit."