Mary Ellen Balser, 41, of 32 West Railroad Avenue, Craigsville, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at her residence.

Ms. Balser was born on March 29, 1975, in Craigsville, Virginia, a daughter of Mary Frances (Sweet) Balser and the late Larry Allen Balser, Sr.

Mary was employed as a Sergeant at the Augusta Correctional Center for 18 years and she was a graduate of Buffalo Gap High School. She was caring, full of love, and beautiful person inside and out. Mary loved life, her family and friends. She also enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, hunting, camping and the outdoors.

Surviving, in addition to her mother of West Augusta, is a son, Anthony Lee Burgandine and his girlfriend Katlyn Kauger of Staunton; a daughter, Ashley Marie Burgandine and her fianc Keaton Ray Hopple of Waynesboro; a granddaughter, Addison Marie Hopple; two brothers, Larry Allen Balser, Jr. and his wife Elissa K. of Frost Proof, FL and Master Sgt. Carl Wilson Balser of Panama City, FL; a sister, Tammy Marie Balser of West Augusta; maternal grandfather, Woodrow Wilson Sweet of Staunton; a nephew, Hunter Meadows; and numerous Uncles, Aunts and cousins also survive.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017 in the Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 31, 2017 in the Coffman Funeral Home Chapel by Pastor Merle M. Dodson.

Burial will follow in the Deerfield Community Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Sgt. B. Stokes, Sgt. Q. Fridley, Officer D. Sweet, Officer C. Arbogast, Officer R. Ingram. Sgt. M. Gordon, Sgt. C. Stokes, Officer C. Stinson, Officer J. Nelson, Sgt. D. Sykes, and Officer K. Hopple.

Honorary pallbearers will be co-workers of the Augusta Correctional Center.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton, is in charge of her arrangements.