Thelma Mace Ponder, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother went to be home with her Lord and Savior on September 10, 2015.

Thelma was born on July 24, 1925, and was the daughter of the late William and Laura Mace. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Velt Ponder and her brother, Bill Mace.

Survivors include her daughter, Dianne Sharpe and husband Bob, her son, Gordon Ponder and wife Dora, her granddaughter Jennifer Townley (Rob) and grandson, Kent Ponder. Thelma is also survived by six great grandchildren; Maddie and Davis Townley and Katelyn, Wes, Kortnie and Kai Ponder. Other survivors include her brother Boyd Mace and wife Edith and their daughter Kathie Warner (Pete) and family. Thelma leaves behind treasured friends at Alexander Baptist Church and the Alexander community. She also leaves behind precious friends and caretakers at Aston Park Health Care Center. Special friends that she often referred to as family are Brenda Ingle, Jerry Plemmons and Wesley and Patsy Grooms.

Thelma was an avid gardener, seamstress, cook and loved her flowers and farm animals. She was a Tarheel through and through. She and Velt never missed a Tarheel basketball game while they were in good health. Thelma lived an extraordinary Christian life devoted to family and always giving herself to others. “Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” She will be sorely missed by her loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at Alexander Baptist Church, 1 Curtis Parker Road, Alexander, N.C. The Rev. Gerald Sprinkle and Rev. Nelson Ponder will officiate. The family will receive friends from 1 PM to 1:45 PM prior to the service. Burial will be in Alexander Baptist Church cemetery.

Flowers are welcome. Donations may be made to the Aston Park Employees Fund, 380 Brevard Rd., Asheville, NC 28806. Blue Ridge Funeral Service is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.