Rita Hilton Ballard, 90, a resident of McComb, died Dec. 8, 2012, at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. She was born Dec. 2, 1922, in Brookhaven. She was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Moak Hilton.

     She was a homemaker and a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Summit where her life of faith and service to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ inspired many. Because of her selfless service, she taught Sunday school, worked in Vacation Bible School, and helped with children’s choir. She traveled on youth trips to serve as a cook and for senior adults, she prepared meals or delivered tapes of worship services. Her love for missions took her across the street to Summit Apartments to invite children to VBS and outside the community to work on numerous building projects. As God’s faithful servant who sought no personal acclaim, she did each task for each person and all for the glory of God.

     She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Ballard; a son, James E. Boyd; a stepgrandson, Thomas Eric Holifield; four brothers and three sisters.

     She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Angie Boyd of Sandersville; three grandchildren, Ryan Thomas and wife, Sandy, of McComb, Kendra Wooten and husband, Russell, of Memphis, and William James Boyd of Little Rock; one stepgrandson, Mikell G. Holifield of Brandon; four great-grandchildren, Connor Wooten, Nicole Wooten, Brooks Holifield and Tagen Boyd; and numerous nieces and nephews.

     Visitation is Tuesday at Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home in McComb from 5 until 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 until services at 10 a.m. with Dr. Larry LeBlanc officiating. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Brookhaven.

     Share condolences at Hartman-Sharkeyfuneralhome.com