Irene Ann Ponder, 70, of Fayetteville passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2015 after a long and valiant battle with cancer.
Irene was born on May 16, 1945 in New Bedford, Mass. At age 18, she met and fell in love with Walt Ponder, Jr. The two lovebirds moved to East Point, Ga. in 1965 and lived there for 28 years. In 1970, Irene gave birth to their daughter, Susie Ponder Bright. The three lived an idyllic life full of love and laughter. In 1993, the family moved to Fayetteville.
Walt and Irene were married for 51 years. Irene was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She loved beyond measure and was selfless in her relationships with others. She never met a stranger and greeted everyone with a smile. She was involved in numerous clubs, school activities, and the church. She was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church where she helped in the church nursery. Despite her loving and gentle nature, she was a warrior when it came to fighting cancer. She fought for 20 months, but her body could not keep up with her fighting spirit. There has never been nor will there ever be anyone like her. Time spent with her was best described as joyful. To know her was to love her. Her loss will be felt by many.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Irene and Eugene Simmons.
She is survived by her husband Walt Ponder, Jr. of Fayetteville; her daughter Susie Bright of Fayetteville; her grandson Austin Bright of Fayetteville; her sisters Patricia Braga, Margaret Villeneuve, and Lucille Deree of the greater New Bedford area; her brother-in-law Phillip Ponder (Carol) of McDonough; her sister-in-law Roxanne Rogers (Mark) of Fayetteville; and three nephews and four nieces.
The funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2015 at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church in Fayetteville, Ga. Family and friends will celebrate Irene’s life during visitation on Thursday, June 18, 2015, from 4-7 p.m. at Mowell Funeral Home, Fayetteville, Ga.
Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville – www.mowellfuneralhome.com.
