Carla Ballard

NICHOLASVILLE - Carla J. Ballard, 58, wife of Mason Ballard of Nicholasville, KY for over 19 years, passed away on Monday, December 8, 2014 after a courageous struggle with lung cancer. She was the daughter of the late James G. Walker and Jo Ann S. Walker. She grew up in Lexington and graduated from Tates Creek High School in 1974. She was a graduate of Northern Kentucky University in 1985 with an Associate Degree in Nursing and was a registered nurse for her professional career. Carla was committed to compassionate care to cancer patients on the oncology unit at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Northern Kentucky for 8 years before changing her focus to home health care where she worked as a Nurse Manager for Caretenders in Lexington for the past 21 years. Carla was a supportive manager to her staff and dedicated to quality care for her patients. She was an avid NASCAR and UK basketball fan and loved going to Daytona Beach and the superspeedways of Daytona and Talladega. Carla worked hard for the benefit of her immediate family and always considered them her priority. In addition to her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Kristi Totten (Lexington), Jessica Totten (Nicholasville), and Kelly Ballard (Nicholasville), and her sister Kathy Autrey and brother-in-law Louie Autrey (Lancaster). She also has two grandchildren, Michael Scott Totten and Allie Nicole Totten. In keeping with Carla's wishes, a "Celebration of Life" for family, friends and friends of the family will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 4 - 8pm at Clark Legacy Center, 601 E Brannon Road, Nicholasville, KY (Brannon Crossing). Interment will be at Bluegrass Memorial Gardens, Nicholasville. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Jessamine Humane Society, PO Box 101, Nicholasville, KY 40356 or the American Cancer Society in Carla's honor. www.clarklegacycenter.com