Mary (Ponder) Stockard

Mary Catherine Ponder Stockard departed this life on May 2, 2009 to the presence of the Lord. Catherine, was the third child, the second daughter born to William Freeman Ponder Sr. and Nannie Gray Albritton Ponder on December 18, 1917 in Frost, Texas. She had two brothers "Bill" Freeman Ponder Jr., and David Ponder who preceded her in death. She has four sisters; Norine Ponder, Gay Wright, Elizabeth Froese, and Robbie Elmore, two sister-in-laws; Ava Nell Ponder and Ann Ponder and one brother-in-law Harold Elmore. Also, she has many nieces and nephews surviving. She graduated from Frost High School and Baylor University. Catherine accepted the Lord as her personal Savior in August 1928 at a revival meeting at the Frost Baptist Church. She moved to Dallas in 1941 where she worked and was married. She lived in Corsicana during the time that her husband was overseas in WWII and where their first child Sharon was born. They moved to Fort Worth in 1948 where Nan was born. They moved with their two daughters to Burnet in 1950 when her husband accepted the pastorate of the Bible Baptist Church and where their son David was born and then moved back to Fort Worth in 1952 where Jonathan was born. They moved to graham in January 1955 when her husband accepted the pastorate of Morningside Baptist Church. They lived their until 1986 when they moved to Palastine. In August 2007 she and her husband moved to Corsicana. Catherine was married to Buford Collins Stockard for 66 years. They were married in Dallas at Central Baptist Church on July 3, 1942 by Dr. Luther C. Peak. She is survived by her husband Buford, two daughters and two sons and their spouses; Sharon Stockard Cearley and husband Jerry, Nan Stockard, David Stockard and wife Linda, and Jonathan Stockard and wife Lisa. Nine grandchildren and spouses; Brendon Cearley and Natalie, Holly Baldwin and Frank, Melissa, David Jr., and Angela Stockard, and Erika, Emily, Ethan , and Evann Stockard. Five great grandchildren; Adam, Hailey, and Lucy Cearley and Ava and Luke Baldwin. Catherine was always a very busy pastors wife during the years at Burnett and Graham. She was a gifted teacher of the Bible. She taught Sunday School for many years and helped out in church playing the piano when needed, and taught in a Christian School in Graham. Visitation will be held Tuesday morning from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel on Tuesday May 5, 2009 at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home with her sons David Stockard and Jonathan Stockard officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Corsicana. Pallbearers will be David Stockard, Jonathan Stockard, David Stockard Jr., Brenden Cearley, Frank Baldwin and Harold Elmore. In leiu of flowers memorials may be made to Morningside Baptist Church in Graham, Calvary Baptist Church in Palastine, First Baptist Church of Corsicana, or a charity of your choice.