Robert E. Ballard Sr., 64, of Lancaster, died on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Sunflower County, Mississippi, he was the son of the late Jessie Sr. and Ozella Ritchey Shelley. Mr Ballard worked for Clarksdale county  in Mississippi and various other jobs in Lancaster. He was a member of Bright Side Baptist Church and volunteered his services to the church.

Surviving are seven sons; Bobby, Robert Jr., Odis, Charles, James, William, and Kevin all of Lancaster, one daughter Kaisha, twenty-two grandchildren, one great grandchild, two sisters; Georgia Mae Johnson, Modene Lewis, two brothers; Henry Shelley, Ivson Shelley. He was preceded in death by a son, Lyndon Ballard, two brothers, Jessie, and Floyd, a daughter and by a companion, Joyce Jones.

Funeral Services will be held at Bright Side Baptist Church, Hershey Ave. Lancaster on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 12:00 Noon. Interment will be in Mellinger's Mennonite Cemetery. A viewing will be held at the church on Saturday from 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon. Arrangements by the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, Lancaster.