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Josette Neri Ponder, 92, passed away Monday, January 9, 2017; she was a former resident of Mendenhall. Visitation will be held at Tutor Funeral Home in Mendenhall on Saturday, January 14, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Services will follow in the chapel at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be in the Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Ponder was born in Marseille, France and grew up in Lyon, France. It was in her early adult years in Lyon that she met her future husband, L.E., who was a U.S. Army soldier in France and Italy during World War II. She and L.E. married after the war and resided in Mendenhall; they were married 61 years. They both were active members of Poplar Springs Baptist Church. Mrs. Ponder had many talents, including art and teaching the French language in school settings. Her greatest talent was the love and care she gave to her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Ponder was preceded in death by her husband, L.E. Ponder of Mendenhall, and by her parents, Armand and Terese Neri of Lyon, France.
She is survived by many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, and friends who cared deeply about her. These include her son and daughter-in-law Wendell and Karen Ponder of Grapevine, Texas, with their sons Warren (with wife Melissa and sons Travis and Matthew and daughter Madeline), Ross (with wife Sarah), and Alan; daughter and son-in-law Gisele and Robby Hansbrough of Flowood, Mississippi with their daughters Alyssa Gray (with husband Joseph and daughter Madison), Lindsey Evans (with husband Nash), and Kelley Hansbrough; son Randall Ponder of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (with son Eric); and daughter and son-in-law Colette and Justin Cox of Madison, Mississippi (with son Max Smith). Mrs. Ponder is also survived by her first cousin, Aldo Corsetti, of Paris, France, along with his wife Elisabeth and their daughters Sandra, Caroline, and Fabienne and their families.
The family would like to thank the staff of Brandon Court Nursing Home for their care of Mrs. Ponder during her stay.
Arrangements are entrusted to Tutor Funeral Home of Mendenhall.
