A new agent with a familiar name will soon be selling insurance in the Camellia City.

Abbie Gardner Ballew will open a State Farm Insurance agency on Sept. 1. Ballew is the daughter of the late Jimmy Gardner, who served as a State Farm agent for 35 years.

“Being a part of this company and community all of my life has allowed me to witness first-hand how much State Farm cares about people,” said Ballew. “I became an agent to help people in my area the way my daddy did. He loved this company and the people of this community. It is my goal to now continue to help them prepare for the unexpected, protect what is most important to them and plan for their future.”

Ballew’s agency will be located at 840 Fort Dale Rd., the same location where Gardner had his agency.

Working with Ballew will be Fleta Richard, Valerie Holcombe and Hattie Lawson. The staff at Ballew’s agency has nearly 50 years combined experience in the insurance business.

Prior to becoming a State Farm Agent, Ballew worked as an educator for 10 years. She started her career at McKenzie School where she taught science for five years. She went on to teach at LBW Community College for another five years, working on both the Andalusia and Greenville campuses.

Ballew is a member of the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce and Southside Baptist Church.

Ballew, a lifelong resident of Butler County, is married to Brad Ballew. The couple has three children, Bryant (7), Julia (5), and Kate (1).