Catherine Belle Ponder, 103, of Walnut Ridge, entered her heavenly home peacefully on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at her residence. She was born on November 13, 1921, in Walnut Ridge to the late Mack Francis and Ora Mabel (Parrish) Cox. After graduating from high school, she attended Draughons’ Business School in Memphis. She was united in marriage to Willis Miles “Miles” Ponder, Jr., on November 8, 1940, in Milton, Florida. Soon after they married, Miles and Catherine started their family in Honolulu, Hawaii where their first son, Willis Miles “Will” was born. Miles was stationed in Hawaii as a Navy pilot during World War II and spent much of his time aboard the USS Pensacola heading to the Philippines. Catherine often remembered and reflected on her life during this time, most notably being just six miles away from the Attack on Pearl Harbor. She was providing care to her young son Will during this time and rushed next door to hide with her neighbor. Catherine, nor Miles, did not know if the couple had survived the attack until a month later. After the war, Catherine spent much of her time being a beloved teacher to many in her community, teaching piano, art, and 4H for decades. She was a member of the Walnut Ridge Schubert Music Club for over 70 years. She was a lifelong member of Old Walnut Ridge Baptist Church where she practiced her faith and played the piano for nearly every service she attended, even up to just a few months before her passing.
Though Catherine made a lasting impact to her community through the arts, she was better known for her unwavering selflessness for everyone she touched. Those closest to her reflect on the kindness they received from Catherine, hoping they can be as optimistic, forgiving, and cheerful. She welcomed everyone into her home like they were family, with one of her students reflecting “I never had a grandmother, and I wish she was my grandmother.” When asking Catherine what her secret to such a long, joyous, and healthy life is, she said to “just be a good person.”
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her spouse of 74 years, Willis Miles Ponder, Jr.; sons, Willis Miles Ponder III (Rebecca), Mack Francis Ponder (Harriet); brothers, Archibald “Archie” Cox, Mack Cox, and Robert “Bob” Cox.
Her children survive her, Paula Bishop (Houston) of Memphis, Tennessee, Samuel P. Ponder (Maria) of Ruidoso, New Mexico, and David S. Ponder (Helen) of Walnut Ridge; her brother, Edgar P. Cox of North Little Rock; grandchildren, Willis Miles Ponder IV, Susan Harris, Catherine Jones, Sonya Duncan, Cynthia Brasher, Spencer Ponder, Kris Ponder, Regan Geib, Joseph Ponder, Paul Bishop, Caleb Ponder, John Ponder, and Brandon Carter; eight great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren; daughter-in-laws, Rebecca Ponder and Harriet Ponder; and a host of other family members and friends.
Visitation will be Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. in Cox Funeral Home Chapel in Walnut Ridge. Funeral will be Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Old Walnut Ridge Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Austin Cemetery under the direction of Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearer will be Franklin Everett.
Catherine’s family extends their gratitude to Legacy Hospice in Walnut Ridge and her caregiver, Pam Snow, for their compassionate care.