Rita Kay Ballard was born October 28, 1950 in Burlison to the late Wesley Martin and Wyline Bradshaw Rose. Cary Ballard and a friend heard there was a party at Kay's house and they crashed the party later that evening. Cary and Kay began dating a week later. They were married on February 25, 1972 and celebrated their 50th anniversary this year. Kay was a member of the Pisgah United Methodist Church and worked at Charms. In addition to her husband Cary, she is survived by two sons, Cary Wade (Emily) Ballard and Wesley Eric (Sherra) Ballard; four grandchildren, Trent, Caleb, June and Jolene; seven sisters, Diane Lindsey, Barbara Rose, Belinda Daniel, Darlene Rose, Sherry Cooper, Melissa Rose and Tonja Hanks, and one brother, her twin, Wesley Ray Rose. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 9 at the Covington Funeral Home chapel with interment to follow in Randolph Cemetery in Burlison. The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday and until service time at 3 at the funeral home.