Obituary of Lorraine Ponder Lamie of Richland Parish Louisiana as published in the Monroe News Star August 6, 2004 Submitted by for the USGenWeb Archives by Dot Golliher, 08/06/2004 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Lorraine Ponder Lamie 1912-2004 The gates of Heaven opened a little wider on the morning of August 5, 2004, with the passing of Lorraine Ponder Lamie, who departed this life, as one friend said, "by passing through her beloved City of Ruston on the way to see her Savior." Lorraine was born in Ruston, Louisiana on April 14, 1912, the daughter of Winter and Stella Ponder. Lorraine's father was a well respected operator of the Price Hardware Store in Ruston for many years. Lorraine's parents predeceased her, as did her siblings, Alice Ponder James, Dessie D. Ponder Knox, and Louis Ponder. Lorraine's only nephew, Bobby Ponder, the son of Louis Ponder, predeceased her, dying in a tragic automobile accident in 1963. Lorraine attended public schools in Ruston, and received her Bachelor of Science and teaching certificate from Louisiana Tech, majoring in Home Economics with a specialty education in dietetics. Her connection with Rayville began shortly after her college graduation, when she came to Rayville High School to teach Home Economics. Lorraine's long history of taking care of others began after the death of her father when she moved back to Ruston to help care for her mother, while teaching at the A.E. Phillips Lab School in Ruston, training teachers and dietitians. Lorraine returned to Rayville in 1953 after she married Jack Lamie of Rayville. Jack operated the Rayville Hardware Store while Lorraine began her second carrier as an eligibility and social service worker at the state welfare office in Rayville. After Jack's death in 1970, Lorraine dutifully cared for his parents, Len and Lela Lamie, until their deaths in 1974.Lorraine retired from the state welfare office in 1977 and thereafter lived a full and happy life through her association with the First Baptist Church of Rayville, members of the church, neighbors and family friends. Lorraine taught Sunday School for the 4-year old classes for many years and was an active member of Saints Alive and enjoyed the many trips the group took all over the country. Lorraine will long be remembered for her good humor which she kept even up to her death, her love of the Baptist church, the "Welfare Office Retirees", and her close and loving relationship with her neighbor, Lucy Robinson and her family, Marguerite Coenen, and members of the Coenen family. Lorraine would have wanted a special thanks to be given Mike Robinson, who assisted her for many years, and to Marie Smalling and Carolyn Morris, ever faithful sitters during the last year of her life. Funeral arrangements will be conducted by Brown and Holley Funeral Home in Rayville. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Friday, August 6, 2004, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM and funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM with Dr. Ernest Winburn officiating. Burial will follow at the Rayville Masonic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Rayville or the Rhymes Memorial Library. Pallbearers will be Carlton Clark, Dr. Lamar Lane, Pete Mulhearn, Jr., Kenneth Newsom, Dan Lane, Scott Harris, Floyd Bruce Boughton, and Jack Yeldell. Honorary pallbearers are Theo Coenen, Billy Coenen, Mike Robinson, Doug Robinson, and J.E. Chancy.