Johnny Lane Ponder, age 74 of Jonesboro, LA passed from his Earthly home into his Heavenly home on Saturday, May 20, 2023.  Mr. Ponder served his country proudly in the United States Air Force and is a Vietnam Veteran.  He wore many hats throughout his lifetime. Johnny was an electrical and instrument technician turned supervisor at Stone Container before his retirement after 37 years of service. He also was a gunsmith and a sewing and embroidery repairman.  He enjoyed helping in his community and served on the Jackson Parish Recreation Board for many years.  He loved the outdoors and all it had to offer.  Mr. Ponder was a sportsman who loved turkey hunting and white perch fishing.  He took pride in being a member of the Dugdemona Gobblers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited supporter, and lifetime NRA member.

Those left to cherish his memory is his wife, Rhonda (Brymer) Ponder; children, Jeanne Ray, Jason Ponder, Johnette Ponder, Joy Ponder, Melissa (Ott) Herman and husband Jeff; grandchildren, Corey Ray, Casey Ray, Carey Ray, Joshua Ponder; 4 great grandchildren; siblings, Sherry Atkins, Patricia Maxwell, Barry Ponder and wife Karen; 2 beloved dogs, Teevo, Roody; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by a grandchild, Justin Ponder; father, John Henry Ponder; mother, Daisy Annette (Durbin) Ponder Grissom; brother, James Michael "Mike" Ponder.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in the chapel of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home from 9:00AM until time of service.  Funeral services are set to begin at 11:00AM with Bro. Jason Womack officiating.  Burial will follow in McDonald Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be Gary Tidwell, John Hinton, Dennis Burns, Richard Maxwell, Cary Seymore, Doyle Waddle.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Dunigan, Shady Willis, Jerry Ginn, Gene Grigg, Jimmy Vail, Paul Maxwell, Gerald David Maxwell.