<!-- FH = Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery --><!-- DisplayFullObituaryText -->Norma (Spearing) BallardMay 13, 2014Norma (Spearing) Ballard's time on this earth ended on May 13, 2014 at HealthPark Medical Center after a brief illness. She was born on Cayo Costa, FL, February 25, 1929 to George and Oriole (Thigpin) Spearing. Norma's early elementary education was received at the Punta Blanca School where she travelled to and from by School Boat. The family moved to Bokeelia in 1942 so she could attend High School. She was married in 1946 and spent most of her life in Bokeelia raising her children and where her family fished commercially. She worked 20 years in the cafeteria at Pine Island Elementary School, retiring in 1991. She is survived by one brother, Jack Spearing of GA; her daughter, Joyce Ballard Mitchell (Tim), Upper Captiva; sons, Robert Ballard (Ellen) of Fort Myers, David Ballard (Livia) of Beverly Hills, FL and stepson Harry (Bo) Ballard (Gloria) of Columbia, SA; grandchildren: Jodie Davis Dale (Robert), Norma Humphrey (Dean), Andy Sabato, Jeffrey Ballard (Michele), Megan Ballard Conklin (Scott), and Andrea Ballard. She has nine great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband of 53 years, Melvin Ballard; daughter, Barbara (Ballard) Bryant who passed away just 3 weeks ago; brothers Robert, Albert, Julian and Charley Spearing; sisters Lois Summerall and Nellie Coleman.Norma will be remembered as a kind and gentle woman who cared deeply for her family. She was always ready to offer a helping hand to friends and family and was one amazing cook. She loved doing jigsaw puzzles and needlework crafts. More recently, she enjoyed playing card games with other residents at Cape Coral Rehab Center where she has been living for the past 11 months.A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 23, 2014 at 1pm at Coral Ridge Memorial Funeral Home & Cemetery in Cape Coral. Private burial will be immediately afterward.Norma has received ongoing assistance from the American Kidney Fund and in lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to theAmerican Kidney Fund, Patient Assistance Program11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300Rockville, MD 20852http://www.kidneyfund.org/give-now/gifts-in-memory/ or, to Pine Island FISH Inc (Fellow Islanders Sending Help), www.pineislandfish.org, PO Box 357, Matlacha, FL 33993