Opal Lenora Ponder, 93, passed away peacefully Jan. 9, 2020.
She was born Sept. 19, 1926 in Jones Chapel, Alabama to the late Walter and Florence Persall.
Opal was preceded in death by her first husband William J. Grimmett and her second husband Doyle J. Ponder; brothers Milton Persall, Roland Persall, and Erval Persall; sister Mavis Murphree; and son-in-law Duel Seymore.
She is survived by sister Freda Marchman and sisters-in-law Billie Sue Persall, Barbara Persall and Shirley Persall.
Opal was completely devoted to her family. She treasured every moment with her children Brenda Seymore, Reba (Joseph) Weiss, and Brad (Annette) Ponder. She was a loving grandmother to Rhonda (Bobby) Ross, Sondra (Susan) Landrum-Rushing, Tanua (Jim) Belue, Myles Campbell, Tyler Campbell, Joe Weiss, Erica Weiss, Ethan (Savanna) Ponder, and Brooke (Jacob) Malone; great-grandmother to Felicia Cook, Bobby (Brandy) Fair, Megan Rushing, Lexi Carpenter, Asa Belue, and Isabella Eguizabal; and great-great-grandmother to Mason Cook. Opal was also an adoring aunt to a multitude of nieces and nephews.
Opal was a member of the Church of Christ and attended Chances Cross Roads the majority of her life.
Everyone who knew her would agree, Opal’s hands were rarely still. She was widely known, and greatly admired, for her sewing, quilting, interior decorating, gardening, and culinary accomplishments. Opal was a beautiful woman who loved to laugh and make others laugh. She owned a strong and unwavering faith and held the inherited gift of a firm understanding about what is truly important in life. Opal Ponder will be dearly missed and live forever in our hearts.
Special gratitude to Avalon Hospice, Amedisys Home Health and Linsey Posey.
Visitation and service at Cullman Funeral Home, 461 US-278, Cullman, AL, 35055.
Visitation and service Sunday, Jan. 12. Family only from 10-11 a.m., followed by a visitation with family and friends from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; funeral service will be at the funeral home chapel at 2 p.m.
Graveside services will take place, directly following, at Chances Crossroads Church of Christ in Jones Chapel, AL.
