On November 12, 2021, our family member Rosette (Rose) Ponder began her spiritual journey. Since this unexpected loss, family members were requested and have come together to assist with the financial support needed with the planning of her homegoing.

The funeral services will be coordinated by Gainous Funeral Home, Daytona Beach, FL                 Cost: $2,750.00 and includes: · Transporting from GA to FL. · Embalming for viewing. · Cremation. · Funeral services (date/time) are pending.

As of today, an approximate total of $900 has been collected. Contributions are currently being collected. Send via Cash App to $keediep (Keidra Ponder).

Further updates will be provided as received via the Zoom calls coordinated by Keidra Ponder and/or Michael Reid. Once received, our family website will reflect the updates as well.

Your support, concern and contributions are truly appreciated.

Thank you

 

The Memorial Service was well attended by family and friends. Below are scenes from the service. Also, click here to view the recorded live stream. 

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After the Memorial Service the family gathered at the cemetery for the spreading of Robert’s ashes around his father and beside his brothers. May he forever rest in peace. Below are scenes from the event.

After the event, we came together for the repast coordinated by Bettye and hosted at the home of Mario and Robyn.  There was plenty of good food, love and laughter.  Robert’s family is very thankful to everyone who attended.

 

Below is a list of the Legacy Generation’s (5th) Clans; each name is linked to that Clan’s Page. Click on any of the links to visit with that Legacy Clan’s “Legend (6th Gen.)” and other family jewels, i.e. Diamonds (7th Gen.), Gold (8th Gen.) and Pearls (9th Gen.)!

Willie’s Clan	Cyler’s Clan	Jimmie’s Clan
Joseph’s Clan	Bettye’s Clan	Mary’s Clan
Ethel’s Clan	Robert’s Clan	Dave’s Clan
Catherine’s Clan	Wilbert’s Clan	Earnestine’s Clan
Capus Jr’s Clan	Aleem’s Clan	Frances’ Clan
Benjamin’s Clan		Gregory’s Clan

 

The family gathered to memorialize her home going:

Catherine (Ponder) Kelly

Christeen (Kelly) Rosebourdgh: Greeting Family, I wanted you to know that me and my siblings, Gene and Earnest (Albert was not available), and our children held a private Memorial Service for Mom (Catherine). We each shared our memories of her, and in our own way; we talked about the times we all had with her.

We all wore purple, Mom’s favorite color; at the end we all released purple and white balloons.

We are still planning on having a memorial service for the whole family when the Corona Virus is over.

Ponder Family Coat of Arms

 

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.

COAT OF ARMS – ADORMENT OF THE SHEILD

The shield upon which we will build the family’s Coat of Arms. The colors represents family virtues: Black – Faithful, Dependable; Gold – Generosity. The family should consider the development of this shield a milestone, the completion of the 1st critical step in the development of the Coat Of Arms.

SECTION 2

STEP # 4 – THE ADORNMENT OF THE SHIELD’S 4 QUADRANTS AND CENTER

In Section 1, Step #1 we asked that you Consider any/all Ponder Family members, living or dead, that you know or know of and give a one word, or one sentence statement that describes the strength, character, and values of these family members.

The family responded with the following list of attributes: Knowledgeable and Wise, Accepting, Confident, Decisive; Creative, Musical, Strong Willed, Dedicated. Courageous, Get the job done, protective, hardworking, and strong. The attributes can be used to determine the symbol for each quadrant. Also, look at the shield in the below example; it has 4 quadrants and a center. Note how each quadrant and the center has a symbol:

Animals depicted on family crest symbolize certain traits such as:

Bear	Fierce protector
Boar	Fierce fighter, fights until death
Boar’s Head	Hospitality
Bull	Magnanimity and valor
Deer	Politic, skillful or lover of harmony
Dog	Fidelity, courage or loyalty
Dolphin	Charity or affection
Dragon	Valiant defender
Fish	Of high nature or regal
Fox	wisdom or wise defense
Griffin	a mythical creature signifying vigilance or a valiant soldier
Horse	symbolizing readiness for duty
Leopard	enduring and valiant warrior
Lion	fierce courage; great warrior or chief
Rabbits	peace loving
Snake	wisdom; renewal and fertility
Tiger	valor and fierceness
Tortoise	invulnerability
Wolf	perseverance in effort or siege

Family crests include not only mammals, reptiles and mythical creatures; rather, birds formed part of the design with each species denoting a distinct quality like:

Dove	signifies peace and love
Eagle	representing a person of action, power, noble nature or strength; the protector
Peacock	for pride and beauty
Swallow (or Martlet)	indicative of a person who lost his land; symbolizes perpetual movement
Swan	poetry, musical, harmony; the swan was believed to carry the spirit of the dead to the next life

Request: Based on family’s attributes identify the symbols to be used in each quadrant and the center of the Shield.

Process: Simple, determine the best 4 attributes/virtues of the family such as Knowledge, strength, spiritual and prosperous. For the center, a symbol to show  where you are from, etc. We will select the best 5 symbols. Good luck fam!

               Gone, but not forgotten

A homegoing celebration full of love, and acceptance; warm, heartfelt reflections of Jimmie and joy that he is now moving freely with our ancestors. Ase’

Scenes from Jimmie’s Memorial service

More special moments with family

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The repast was awesome; all the family in attendance for the memorial shared in the repast. Golden Coral’s buffet was on point and good! The family got to meet new family members, relax, and share memories. Below are scenes from the buffet:

Bettye Victoria (Ponder) Weems has been the “Angel” of the Ponder-Stokes Family for all of my 64 years and more. An empath with an enormous ability to care for others especially her siblings. Bettye has consistently made time to be at the side of  ailing family and always ready to help when needed. It is a great comfort to the family knowing that she is here.

That is why I was so touched, not surprised but very touched when she told me that she was with Jimmie the day before his death. I can tell from her voice that she was still mourning the loss of her little brother. She said that Jimmie told her that he was in the hospital because his chest was hurting. The doctors, after examining him told him that he had already had a heart attack. The doctors wanted Jimmie to stay in the hospital but he felt he would be more comfortable at home.

As Bettye and Jimmie completed their visit he acknowledged to her that this may be their last time visiting. He was prepared for that eventuality; I felt better knowing that he was woke and controlling his destiny. Jimmy died in his sleep over night. We will love and miss him always.

I thank our ancestors for producing such an angel as Bettye. I want to lift her up to the family. I’m so glad that she was there to usher our brother Jimmie on his journey home. Ase’