Margaret Helen Veatch Ponder

Margaret (Marty) Helen Veatch Ponder, age 96 took her last earthly breath and her first step into heaven straight into the arms of Jesus on March 24, 2025. Margaret was a 21-year resident of League City and formerly a 50-year citizen of Santa Fe, Texas. Margaret was born June 29, 1928 in Capron, Oklahoma where she resided until 1934 when her family's circumstances necessitated a move to Russelville, Arkansas.
In her younger years, Margaret was instrumental in assisting her father in household duties and chores after the early death of her mother. Later in 1943, Margaret, her two brothers, and father moved to Pasadena, Texas where Margaret attended Pasadena High School and graduated in 1946. After high school graduation, Margaret attended UTMB Nursing School in Galveston, Texas and graduated in 1949, and was later employed by the UTMB technical department.
During her early years as a student nurse, Margaret ministered both physically and emotionally to the many victims of the 1947 Texas City disaster where an explosion of ammonium nitrate further ignited multiple refinery storage facilities. As a young nursing student, she was swept up into the care of the hundreds of burned and critically injured patients. Victims later expressed her impact on their recoveries and how much her care meant to them and their families. She carried the lessons she learned about critical care and emotional support throughout her career.
Margaret was head nurse of the labor and delivery floors until retiring. Many of the healthy folks of Galveston and Southeast Texas can attribute their safe deliveries to her expertise and care. Every patient was special and every baby was welcomed as a gift from God under her supervision.
After retirement from her long nursing career, Margaret and her husband Bob focused on developing rental properties in the Santa Fe area. In her spare time, Margaret loved sewing, crafting, making paper cranes, and making holiday treats for friends, family, and acquaintances. Her laugh was infectious and remembered by anyone who ever met her. Margaret loved spending time with her family and especially her great grandchildren who were a special joy as they shared secrets and put smiles in one another's hearts.
Margaret is preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years Bob Ponder, her parents Walter Veatch and Helen Woodward, and her brothers, John Franklin Veatch and Joe Walter Veatch.
Margaret is survived by her son Alan Ponder and wife Sandra of Willis, Texas, their children, Melissa Ponder and Laura Ponder Wright, husband Cody, her daughter Karen Ponder Masters and husband, Randy of League City, their children Matt Miller, Brian Masters, wife, Susan and Brad Masters. Margaret's precious great-grandchildren are Taron Miller, Corban Miller, Braedan Masters, Paisley Masters, and Zayla Masters. In addition, Margaret added a great-great granddaughter to her bunch, Sequoia. Each of these loved ones ministered to her and brought significant joy.
Margaret was fortunate to have three caring and loving caregivers who became like family. Carrie, Delia, and her beloved Frankie Martinez, who was a huge support to Margaret's entire family. Margaret's family offers their deepest respect and gratitude for their loving care.
Throughout her life, Margaret was a caregiver beginning in her very young years as she took on responsibilities to assist in raising a younger brother. Later, she cared for the injured and sick. As a wife and mother, she nurtured and cared for her family and extended family until her death. No doubt, upon her entry into heaven, Jesus whispered to her, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. The care you gave to others is remarkable!" More than likely, Jesus did not mention "eternal rest." If you know Margaret, you can be assured she is not spending her eternity resting, but rather she is sewing, crafting, sharing, uplifting, and going about her business of caring for others.
A celebration of her beautiful life will be held at Scott Funeral Home, 1421 E. Hwy 6, Alvin, TX, 77511. A visitation will be held from 10:00 Am – 11:00 AM Friday, March 28, 2025, with a funeral service beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Confederate Cemetery in Alvin, Texas following the services.
Margaret would love for any donations to go to Arcadia First Baptist Church Building Fund. Office@arcadiafbc.org