Biography: Charlotte Elizabeth Ballard (nee Huff) was born on July 19, 1926. After a fruitful, dynamic. 93 years of life, she departed this Earthly realm on March 30, 2020. Charlotte was the daughter of the late Carrie and Austin Huff. She was born and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina. In 1944 she moved to New York City, where she would meet the late Levi Ballard Sr. for the 2nd time (they first met when she was thirteen, in a Wilmington, NC Strawberry Field) and later married him.
This union was blessed with six children. They both became members of Canaan Baptist Church in Harlem, NY. Charlotte would eventually become one of Harlem’s most beloved citizens. She owned and operated beauty salons throughout the neighborhood, creating a vibrant social scene. Charlotte was also a gifted orator, and would often recite both classical folktales and the works of well known African American authors at family gatherings, Langston Hughes and Thelma Mills mostly from memory.
In 1954, Charlotte and Levi went on to serve as founding members of the Salvation Baptist Church in the Bronx, NY, under the leadership of the late Rev. Webster Stewart. She was a faithful member until the lord called her home. She worked diligently as Sunday school teacher, Sunday school Superintendent, Trustee, Deaconess and Mother of the church. She was loved.
She leaves to cherish her memory: Gene Ballard (Rachel), Dolores White, Eleanor Ballard, Levi (Doris), Gloria Simon, Carrie Bennett (Bruce) , fourteen grandchildren, twenty four great grand children, a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.