Mrs. Ellarease Ponder

October 19, 1952 - February 20, 2022

PONDER, Mrs. Ellarease - Age 69, passed away Sunday, February 20, 2022 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 1:30 PM Thursday, March 3, 2022 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with Funeral Service commencing at 2:00 PM. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the chapel 1:30 PM Thursday. Mrs. Ponder will lie in state in the chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Wednesday. Mrs. Ellarease (Easterwood) Ponder affectionately called “Ree” (a Mommy’s Girl) entered this world in humble surroundings on October 19, 1952 in Reform, Alabama and was raised in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of the late Mr. Alfonso & Mrs. Erethea Easterwood. God called her and she answered early on Sunday, February 20, 2022 at Hurley Medical Center. Growing up in Flint, Ellarease attended Stewart Elementary, Whittier Jr. High and graduated from Flint Southwestern “Colts” High School, “Class of 1970.” She was employed at Fisher Body Flint, a division of General Motors Corporation and retired from Delph in Saginaw, MI with 32 years of service in 2007. Upon retiring she had an insatiable desire to become a Nurse. Ellarease graduated from Mott Community College with her Associate Degree and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and work at Kith Haven; she loved helping people. She had a call to the Ministry of Helps with much consideration for people and their wellness. Ellarease also loved helping children. She began her walk with Christ at a young age at Harris Temple Church Of God In Christ under the leadership of the late Supt. T.R. Harris where she faithfully attended Sunday School, YPWW and sang in the Youth Ensemble Choir under the leadership of Sister Dorothy Cooper. Ellarease later became a faithful member of New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Odis A. Floyd. Under Pastor Patrick W. Sanders Sr. she served in the Women’s Ministry and had a love for singing on the Women’s Day Programs. Ellarease had a passion for church until her illness! Oh how she loved shopping! She was an avid cook, loved traveling, reading fiction and non-fiction books, and casino relaxation. She was a quiet storm! Ellarease said what she meant and meant what she said. She married Jerome Ponder and from this union she birthed a son and a daughter, Doane A. and Akilah R. which were the joys of her life! Mrs. Ellarease Ponder leaves to cherish her memory: son, Doane A.; mother, Mrs. Ereatha Easterwood; caring sister and brother-in-love, Dorothy (Joe) Lee of Flushing, MI; devoted brother, Wallace R.; longtime companion, Emmett Newhouse (transitioned Monday 02/21/22) of Flint; nieces, Tamara and Nevaeh Easterwood, April Jamerson, all of Flint; nephew, Jeremiah Easterwood of California; mother-in-love, Dorothy Ponder; sister-in-love, Aretha Bradley of Burton, MI; brother-in-love, Mark Ponder of Memphis, TN; 4 aunts, Lillie Mae Sanders of Boston, MA, Florence (Eddie) Garland, Alfreda Wright, all of Flint and Louise Sanders of Ethelsville, AL; the Hodo, Ponder and Lee families; a host of cousins and friends including, the Watkins and Stallworth families of Howard Avenue, over 60 years of friendship with, Mrs. Brenda Dilworth, and Kim (Shamar) Sanders. Mrs. Ponder was preceded in death by her beautiful daughter, father, 3 brothers; grandfather-in-love, Henry Ponder; sis-in-love, Charlotte Ponder; many aunts, uncles and other relatives. The family is thanking God for the congregation of her place of worship; Pastor Patrick W. Sanders Sr. and New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church.