Michael Ponder, age 80, passed away in Jonesboro, Louisiana on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. He was retired from the railroad and was a Master Mason. Michael enjoyed bass fishing with his wife of nearly 60 years, Lawanda (Neatherland) Ponder.  Together, they fished many lakes in Louisiana including Caney, Kepler, Black, Old River, Claiborne, Darbonne and Old Saline.  Michael was a loving and caring man. He loved his kids and grandkids with all of his heart.  Possessing an easy-going personality, Michael was the quiet sort, and he never complained about anything.

Michael is survived by his wife, Lawanda; children, Chasity Patton (Tony) and Josh Browning (Tori); 9 grandchildren; sisters, Ann Carenza (James), Linda Griffin (Bobby), Marilyn Willis, Kay Welch, Teresa Harvad and Donna Ponder; sisters-in-law, Lynette Ponder and Ann Ponder; and numerous nieces and nephews. His family will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his father, Woodrow Ponder; mother, Wilma (Key) Ponder; brothers, Billy Paul Ponder, Roger Ponder, Leo Ponder, Gerald Ponder; father-in-law, Roy Neatherland; and mother-in-law, Gladys (Wyatt) Neatherland.

Friends may visit with the family at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM.  The funeral service will begin at 1:00 PM, officiated by Bro. David Essmeier. Burial will follow in Ebenezer Cemetery near Weston, under the direction of Southern- Edmonds Funeral Home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Tony Patton, Josh Browning, Colten Otwell, Kaden Browning, Drew Browning, Ricky Sims, Tre' Pardue, Jason Potts and Matt Stevenson.

Honorary pallbearers include: Randy Stevenson, Jeremy Potts,  The "Railroad" Boys, James Carenza, Bobby Griffin, David Neatherland, Joeboy Neatherland, Jeff Neatherland, Joey Neatherland, Rondy Maxwell, Randy Neatherland and Darren Neatherland.