Dr. Marguerite Louisa Candler Ballard

Dr. Marguerite Louisa Candler Ballard died on June 2. A graveside service will be held this Saturday, June 6, at 11 a.m. at West View Cemetary in Monticello.

Dr. Ballard was born June 14, 1920 in Atlanta, to Hattie Lee West Candler and Asa Warren Candler. She was the second youngest of five children, and the only daughter.

She graduated from North Avenue Presbyterian School and received her bachelor’s degree from Vassar College. She then returned to Atlanta where she earned her master of science degree and her Medical Degree from Emory University. Graduating in 1948, she was one of the first women to attend Emory University Medical School.

Dr. Ballard became a well respected hematologist, rising to the title of Medical Director, U.S. Public Health Service before retiring in 1985. She authored a widely acclaimed medical text entitled Atlas of Blood Cells in Health and Disease in 1987.

At age 53, she married the love of her life, George Speights Ballard of Monticello, GA. They found each other late in life but enjoyed 34 happy years of marriage before his sudden death in 2007. For years, following their retirement, they enjoyed traveling and spending time at his family’s beautifully restored antebellum home in Monticello.

In addition to her husband, Dr. Ballard was preceded in death by her four brothers, John S. Candler, II, Dr. Robert W. Candler, Asa W. Candler, William H. Candler, and her niece Gail C. Kirby.

She is survived by 11 nieces and nephews and numerous grand nieces and nephews. Her surviving nieces and nephews include Dorothy C. Hamilton; John S. Candler, Jr.; Sarah C. Schilling; Peter M. Candler; Robert W. Candler, Jr.; Carolyn C. Donovan; Asa W. Candler III; David M. Candler; Dr. William H. Candler, Jr.; Virginia C. McClure; and Marguerite C. Marino.

Dr. Ballard was a member of The Cathedral of St. Philip in Buckhead.