Elnora's Children

Catherine (Ponder) Kelly
June 6, 1937 – March 16, 2020

Catherine, surrounded by her loving family has completed her Homegoing Journey where she will take her place amongst our family (ancestors) that journeyed home before her. May she be received by our ancestors as the loving, spiritual and fierce warrior that she was in life.

The date, time and location of Catherine’s Homegoing Services will be provided when they are available. It will be a festive celebration of her life!

 

Catherine, we called her “Cat” but she was the Lioness of the Ponder Family

Catherine was born in Sylvania, GA to sharecroppers Elnora & Capus Ponder; she was the oldest of 11 children. She was frequently charged with the oversight of her 10 younger siblings, 8 of them being boys, as mom and dad worked the fields of their farm. She ran our family as if she was the matriarch; keeping all on a straight and narrow path. I, being the youngest of these boys and missing out on the farm life didn’t cross my sister’s path until about age 12, when I snatched away from her grasp of my pants, while she was attempting to discipline me verbally. I should not have done that; she had a stick in her hand while she was talking to me and when I snatched away she beat my ass with that stick. When she let me go I ran home I told her I was going to tell our momma on her. When I got home Momma was sitting on the sofa doing Earnestine’s hair. I told her that Catherine hit me, she barely looked up, and she said “you must have done something.” I argued, “Ma she’s just my sister she can’t beat me like that;” then Ma said through her laughter, “Boy, Catherine has whipped all of your brothers’ asses!”

What I will always remember about Catherine is the joy that you could actually hear in her voice when visiting with her; it was a very high pitched giggle accompanied with a squeal. And, every time I heard that squeal, it brought joy to my heart and a smile to my face. I absolutely loved spinning time with her. To say she will be missed is a great understatement.

One of Catherine’s greatest passions beyond her children was NASCAR Racing; she wasn’t a driver or anything but she really enjoyed watching it and could talk about it in detail. Her favorite drivers was Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr. She kept replicas of their cars amongst her keepsakes.

Catherine leave behind to mourn her passing her 4 children; Christeen, Gene, Albert and Earnest. Twelve grandchildren; John Lee, Jason, Ashley, Jade, Heather, John Henry, Tyler G., Savannah, Bryan, Keidra, Princes, Earnest, Jr. and Jeniver. Nineteen great grandchildren; Jamara, Tara, Jason, Justin, Paris, Timmy, Jr., Jah’siah, King Ahmir, Tyerek, Tyshun, Kamaria, La’jah, Tavion, Danquel, Promise, Praise, Janiya, Ke’jyanis and Laiya. Two great, great grandchildren; Gregory and Jayla. And, 8 siblings; Bettye, Robert, Aleem, Mary, Dave, Earnestine, Frances and Gregory.