Mrs. Jean E. Ponder

Jean Elizabeth Phillabaum Ponder, 88, died Wednesday, November 10 at The Bluffs in Columbia. Memorial services will be celebrated on Monday, November 15 at 11 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church in Columbia with Rev. Kevin Shelton officiating. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. prior to the service. Jean was born on March 23, 1922, in Greentree, PA, the second of four children of William Elsie and Leila Maude Phillabaum. Following high school graduation, Jean was a file clerk at ALCOA then joined the Women's Army Corp (WAC) where she became a medical nursing aide during World War II. At the end of the war, Jean met Claude L. (Duke) Ponder and they were married within five weeks. They made their first home in Doniphan, MO. Duke preceded Jean in death on October 27, 2003. Jean began her college education at SMSU in Cape Girardeau but didn't finish until she had raised four daughters. She later attained her degree at Truman State University in Kirksville just ahead of her daughters. A devoted Methodist, Jean worked in the Kirksville District Superintendent's office for years. She also worked with USDA Soil Conservation Service and Farm Bureau. After retirement, Jean and Duke followed their daughters to Columbia and became active members of Community United Methodist Church. There they founded the long-lived "Ponderers Sunday School Class" and were honored by the class with the purchase of a personal energy transportation vehicle (P.E.T.). Jean served as the church membership secretary, was in UMW and her beloved Christ Care group who stayed close for many years. Jean's other loving group was her PEO Chapter LM where she served as president two years. Her PEO sisters visited and wrote throughout the years. A warm, outgoing, optimistic woman, Jean was active in the League of Women Voters, garden club, genealogy and fundraising for heart disease. She is remembered for her humor, her upbeat, enthusiastic spirit and her strong Christian beliefs. She did not complain and bravely faced her challenges. Jean's primary joy in life was her family and friends. Nothing made her happier than being among her daughters and their families. Over the past seven years Jean was especially close to the staff of The Bluffs whose care extended her life beyond her greatest hopes. Surviving members of Jean's family include Patsy Ponder Dalton and husband David of Four Seasons and Columbia, MO; Diana Life and husband Dennis of Tucson, AZ; Virginia Ponder and husband Frank Sbanotto of Columbia and Rev. Jodi Ponder-Williams and husband Rev. Gary of Kansas City, MO. Jean also has six grandchildren, Marcy Moore Graham and husband Dave of Carlsbad, CA; Monte Moore of Columbia, MO; Melissa Burkhart of North Richland Hills, TX; Matthew Dalton of Portland, OR; Evan Life of Knoxville, TN and Andrew Ponder-Williams of Columbia. In addition to Duke, Jean was preceded in death by her parents and her two sisters, Mary Lou Mankedick and Shirley Cole, and her brother Bill Phillabaum. Memorial contributions can be made to Community United Methodist Church, 3301 W. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65203 or to The Bluffs Auxiliary, 3105 Bluff Creek Drive, Columbia, MO 65201 or to Cottey College, 1000 W. Austin, Nevada, MO 64772.