Ruth Pittman Ballard, a longtime resident of the Enon community in Washington Parish, passed away on Sept. 14, 2016, at the age of 91. She was born on Feb. 11, 1925, near Columbia, Miss.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Oliver E. Ballard; her parents, N.W. and Elulia Pittman; and three brothers, Lavon Pittman, N.W. Pittman, Jr. and Larry Pittman.

She is survived by her sister, Audrey Stafford of Franklinton; two daughters, Pat (Mrs. Bart) Palmisano of Folsom, and Jan (Mrs. Lynn) Oswalt of Baton Rouge. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Bart Palmisano Jr., Kim Palmisano Allen, both of Folsom, and Brad Oswalt of Baton Rouge, and Brian Oswalt of Brookhaven, Miss. She also has 10 great-grandchildren: Phillip and Lauren Palmisano, Justin Patterson, Kayce Ingram all of Folsom, Caelen, Cohen and Corinne Oswalt of Baton Rouge and Tristyn, Avery Kate, and Hudson Oswalt of Brookhaven.

Ruth graduated from Enon High School in 1942. Before she married, she worked as a secretary for Charles W. Goodyear at the Bogalusa Tung Oil Company in Bogalusa. During her married years she was a homemaker and volunteered her secretarial services at Enon High School where her husband was principal.

She had a lifetime career loving, nourishing and providing for the needs of her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruth was an active member of Enon Baptist Church for many years until she became unable to attend.

She and “Ballard” were known for the hospitality of their home, her excellent meals (and desserts), and their warm neighborly generosity, particularly from their garden.

Visitation will be at Enon Baptist Church on Sunday, Sept. 18, from 2 p.m. until the service at 3 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Chris Wheeler, pastor of the Enon church, and Dr. Lynn Oswalt.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Bart Palmisano, Brad Oswalt and Brian Oswalt and grandson-in-law Matthew Allen. Also serving will be great-grandsons Justin Patterson and Phillip Palmisano.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Enon Baptist Church, 14049 Highway 16, Franklinton, LA 70438.

The service will be conducted by Church Funeral Services of St. Amant. Burial will be at the Enon Baptist Church cemetery.