Charlotte Ruth Shedaker Ballas
June 3, 1947 — Oct. 21, 2021
Charlotte laughed and loved. She greeted everyone with a smile and a hug. If she loved you, she would do anything she could do for you. She was swift to forgive and never held a grudge.
Charlotte embraced life’s gifts and lived in a perpetual state of awe at the wonders of the universe. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and raised in California, she adored the beach and the sounds of the ocean. She was an avid reader, politically passionate, a champion of the underdog, and had a didactic memory that allowed her to converse on thousands of topics. Charlotte knew hundreds of songs and loved to sing, even though many claimed she couldn’t carry a note.
She studied theatre at College of the Desert, Palm Springs. Her music teacher said she was his biggest challenge ever: she was the only person he knew who could change notes and keys in the middle of a word. This exemplifies her spirit: she never let them get her down — she continued to sing until the very last day of her life. She personified perseverance, determination and passion.
For years she worked at Sierra Repertory Theatre and Fallon House. Her bragging rights included being a hang-gliding pilot; an award winning actor, director, and stage manager; and a world traveller who enthusiastically embraced adventure. She was a believer in magic and miracles, and was both fearless and stubborn — it took two monstrous diseases to take her down, and she fought them with her very last breath.
Charlotte is survived by her siblings, John Shedaker, Timothy Francis and Carol Mcguffey; her children Donovan and Teeka Ballas; her daughter “outlaws” Leanna Smith and Dawnell Smith; her formerbut- forever- devoted- tohusband, Nick Ballas; her beautiful grandchildren Denton, Judasia and Mekaila Ballas; all her adored nieces and nephews; and the hundreds of friends and adopted children she has amassed over the years. There is not a recipient of her love who is not deeply affected by this loss.
She is laid to rest at Dambacher Mountain Memorial Cemetery; visitors are always welcome.