Obituaries: Mr. Terry Lamar Ponder III, Sabine Parish P-536 Source: Sabine Index, Many, La., Apr 21, 1999 Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck carlrad@earthlink.net ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Mr. Terry Lamar Ponder III Mr. Terry Lamar Ponder III, 19, passed from this world into the everlasting presence of his Lord and Savor, Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 13, 1999. For two years, he valiantly battled the most malignant of brain tumors, Glioblastoma Multiforme, with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and God's grace and mercy. Many family and friends joined them as they worshiped the Lord with gladness at the funeral services at 2 p.m., Friday, April 16, at First Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill, with interment following at Spring Ridge Cemetery. Pallbearers were Guffey Lynn Pattison, Bobby Lewis, Josh Bryan, Justin Free, Chris Imhoff, Tommy Mills, Jacque Kidd, and Jeff Harper. Honorary pallbearers were Micah James, Virgil McElveon John Armore, John Leone, Michael Philpot, Steve Moore, Jimmy Lynn Golden, Ray Williams and Caleb Cox. Survivors include his "Intended", Miss Rebecca White of Converse; parents, Lamar and Debbie Ponder; endeared siblings, Adam Wayne, 14, and Deborah Lynn, 4 1/2; paternal grandparents, Terry Sr. and Yvonne Ponder, all of Pleasant Hill; one aunt, Ramona Lynn Ponder of Shreveport; maternal grandparents, Richard and Jean Harrison, aunt Lisa Harrison Somerville; and cousins, Kristin and Lindsey Somerville, all of Monroe; Uncle Rex Harrison; and aunt Margaret; and cousins, Rebecca and Jeffrey Harrison of Jackson, Miss.; and many other loved relations. Mr. Ponder was born April 14, 1979 in Ruston. He grew up in Hobbs, N. M., Spring, Texas, Opelousas, and settled in Pleasant Hill in 1991. He was a 1997 Co-salutatorian graduate of Converse High School, La., a National Honor Society member, recipient Of the American Legion Award, and of several college scholarships. After Terry's diagnosis of brain cancer and subsequent blindness, he attended, and graduated from Louisiana Center for the Blind in Ruston. At the time of his death, he had begun his second quarter at Louisiana Tech University. He was an active member of John Knox Presbyterian Church in Ruston, and its Christian Student Fellowship Organization at Louisiana Tech. Terry had matured into a fine young man, who was known for his diligent perseverance in whatever he endeavored to do, whether that be at church, work, school, or play. The reading of God's Word and hearing it gloriously preached were paramount in his life. He had enjoyed skateboarding, camping, fishing, baseball, and all types of water sports. He played both an electric, and an acoustic guitar; he listened to and appreciated a wide range of musical styles. Terry was loved and cherished, respected, and admired by his family, and by countless friends, both young and old alike. The family offers our thanks and gratitude to everyone at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn., especially to Dr. Stephen J. Thompson, and to all the nurses and doctors there who gave us great comfort during Terry's last days. Also, LeBonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Dr. Jill Bordelon, Judy Posey, RN, and many others at Green Clinic, Ruston, Dr. Pushpa Pathak, and Doctors Lab, Pleasant Hill. Our family wishes to express our heartfelt appreciation, and sincere gratitude to friends, near and far, who have unwaveringly kept us in their prayers and supplication. "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known unto all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7.