Ernestine Ponder, 82, of Carthage, Texas, passed away on Wednesday morning, January 11, 2023, in Longview, Texas. She was born in Terrell, Texas on June 15, 1940. Ernestine graduated from Burnet High School with the class of 1958. She then earned an Associate's Degree in Nursing. Ernestine married Albert James Ponder, Sr. and he preceded her in death on January 19, 1979.  She worked in nursing at Immaculate Heart Community and the Los Angeles Unified School District. Earnestine attended Crenshaw Christian Center in Los Angeles, California and Rehobeth Methodist Church in Carthage.

She is survived by her sons, Albert James Ponder, Jr. and Kenneth B. Ponder, Sr.; daughter, Patrice A. Smith Bradley; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Cremation arrangements are by Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.