Joan Patricia (Carey) Ponder

Joan Patricia Ponder, 96, of Cape Girardeau passed away Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born February 11, 1928, in St. Louis, daughter of Arthur and Viola Mitchell Carey Sr. She and Jerome W. Ponder were married on January 28, 1947.   Four children were born to their union.  They had been married 61 years when Jerome passed away March 31, 2008.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker.  She worked as a switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.   Joan passionately volunteered at De Paul Hospital in St. Louis and proudly reached 10,000 hours of service.

Loving survivors include her four children, Michael (Cheryl) Ponder of Benton, Missouri, Gloria (Gary) Austin of Independence, Missouri, Beverly (Duane) Lewis of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, Paul Ponder of Cape Girardeau; five grandchildren, Liz Ponder, Kyle Austin, Kurt Austin, Corey Lewis and Cary Juez Perez; 9 great-grandchildren; a brother, Arthur (Katey) Carey Jr.; nephew George Carey; niece, Theresa Weibrecht;  and former daughter-in-law, Jean Ponder.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Father Allan Saunders will celebrate Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., Thursday, January 23, 2025, at St. Mary Cathedral Church in Cape Girardeau.  Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

In Joan’s memory, memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice of church or charity.

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