Viola Ballard Pumphrey, 82, beloved mother, grandmother and sister passed peacefully away Saturday, April 23, 2011 at the Nicholas County Hospital, Carlisle, Kentucky. She was the widow of Ben H. Pumphrey and the daughter of the late Frank and Nellie Ballard.

She was a graduate of Carlisle High School and the University of Kentucky. Professionally, she was a gifted elementary school teacher who blessed many classrooms and students throughout Kentucky teaching in the Bourbon, Fayette, Covington, Bellevue, and Fleming County school systems and at Millersburg Military Academy. She also worked for the Nicholas County newspaper.

She sang locally throughout her childhood with her three sisters, known as the "Ballard Sisters" and was blessed with a beautiful voice and the ability to play piano by ear and heart.

She organized and ran the Bible School for the First Christian Church of Carlisle and served the community as a most creative and clever cub scout leader.

She is survived by her son, Rev. Ben H. (Terrie) Pumphrey and daughter, Laura (Pat) Conley; five grandchildren-Elizabeth (William) Morgan, Carter (Christina) Conley, Sarah (Andrew) Bucci, Joseph Conley and Rachel Pumphrey; three sisters-Marie Stagg, Ruth Sphar, and Rose Bergman; two sisters-in-law-Mary Ellen Lucas, and Jean Romo; and two step-great-granchildren-Amme Keyes and William F. Morgan, III.

Graveside services will be held Monday, April 25, 2011 at the Carlisle Cemetery by Rev. Carey McGuire.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Hospice of the Bluegrass.