Jones M. Ponder, 91, of Omega passed away Friday, May 2, 2025, at his residence. His funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Maple Street Church in Omega with the Rev. Chris House officiating. Mr. Ponder will be laid to rest at Omega Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Maple Street Church in Omega from 3:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.
Jason Morris, Harrell Rackley, Zach Puryear, Nick Lavery, Paul Ponder, Caleb Overman. Cy Ponder and Russ Ponder will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Present and Past Directors of South Georgia Banking Company, Lamar Burkett, Chris Ponder, Trent Doss, Gene Webb, Charlie Jackson, Bert Ponder, and Donnie and Janice Crumley.
Born November 5, 1933, in Tift County, Mr. Ponder was the son of the late William Roy Ponder, Sr. and Lena Jones Ponder. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, W. Roy Ponder, Jr., Robert Mercer Ponder and Edwin Ponder. He was a lifelong farmer and a member of Maple Street Church in Omega, where he served on the Methodist Administrative Board.
Mr. Ponder served on the Middle South Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District, as well as serving on the Tift County School Board for 20 years, 16 as Chairman. He was a founding Board Member of South Georgia Bank and served on that Board for over 50 years. He also served on the Board of Tifton Federal Savings and Loan.
Of all his many accomplishments, he was most proud of his family.
Mr. Ponder is survived by his wife of almost 71 years, Earline Tolbert Ponder of Omega; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Missy Ponder and Ken and June Ponder, all of Omega; one daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Randy Paulk of Omega; five grandchildren and their spouses, Jessica and Harrell Rackley, Farron and Jason Morris, Elisabeth and Zach Puryear, Cy and Cassie Ponder and Victoria and Nick Lavery; and ten great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Colquitt Regional Hospice and to Mrs. Linda Gray and her staff of caregivers for their loving care of Mr. Ponder.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorial gifts may be made to Maple Street Church, P. O. Box 512, Omega, GA 31775.