Barbara Elaine Ponds

Barbara Elaine Ponds (née Childress) passed away on Friday, December 1, 2023, in Jackson, Mississippi, while living in Brandon.  Elaine was born on June 15, 1935, to William Edward Childress Sr. and Martha Elizabeth Cates Childress.  Elaine’s parents, brother William “Bill” Edward Childress Jr., and niece Karen Webb preceded her in death. 

She grew up in Millington, Tennessee, a city just north of Memphis, with her future husband of sixty-nine years, Bob Ponds, living next door and attending the same school.  Her dad Ed was a mechanic and fireman, her mom Liz was a homemaker, and Elaine’s sister Rebecca was a constant companion. After marrying Bob, his service in the Air Force gave way to Elaine and him living in many places outside the United States, including Newfoundland and Brazil. 

Elaine was heavily involved in arts and crafts and fashioned intricate items of jewelry.  She was an excellent cook and created many recipes that will be handed down for future generations.  She often told stories about the good-humored fun she and Bob had with neighborhood friends at house parties and cookouts over the years.  She loved to laugh and kept her arms open for anyone who needed help.

Elaine was someone people turned to for comfort, laughter, and uplifting.  She never failed to hug you, joke with you, and tell you everything would be alright (and of course she was right).  Her optimism was untouchable, and her sincerity was felt.  She was generous toward others in the hard ways: with time, attention, and consistency. And more than anything, Elaine deeply loved her family—as a sister, wife, mother, and grandmother—with her positive thoughts, focused words, and selfless deeds. 

Elaine is survived by her husband Bob Ponds, sister Nettie Rebecca Childress Webb (CB, deceased), daughter Vickie Lynne Ponds Watson (Tim), son Robert “Pete” Louis Ponds (Kim), nephews Rex Webb, Tony Webb, and Curtis Webb, grandson Justin Rey Ponds, step-granddaughter Laurin Agnew Vaughan (Tom), and step-great-grandchildren Gaige Thomas Agnew, Everett Vaughan, and Wesley Vaughan.

Visitation will be held on Wed. Dec. 6, 2023 from 12pm-1:30pm at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS. Graveside Services are 2pm on Wed. Dec. 6, 2023 at Lakeland Place Memorial Park Cemetery in Brandon, MS.