Francis “Frank” Marion Ponder married Georgia Zenobia “Nobie” Whatley 30 December 1891 in Gregg County, Texas. Nobie was the young widow of Elias Page. Frank and Nobie moved from Longview to Reilly Springs, Texas about 1893 and started their family. Public records tell us they had 10 children who reached adulthood. Those children were: Frankie Ponder Massengale, Percy Covington Ponder, Leslie Hiram Ponder, Hollis Merkerson Ponder, Eula Florence Ponder Starrett, Clyde Ponder, Duval Ponder, Robert Ponder, Fred Warren Ponder and John Whatley Ponder.

    The descendants of Francis “Frank” Marion Ponder and Georgia Zenobia “Nobie” Whatley gathered Saturday, October 4, 2008 in Sulphur Springs.

    Frank and Nobie had 42 grandchildren; 17 are currently living and 10 of those were able to attend the reunion. 70 Ponder descendants were present.

    The family member who traveled the greatest distance was a great-grandson from Minnesota. Inside Texas, the greatest distance traveled was by a great-grandson from Brownsville. The oldest in attendance was 80 years old and the youngest was 11 days old. One Whatley cousin was present.

    A. J’s catered fish and fixins for the event. The desserts were furnished by local cousins.

The article above appeared in The Sulphur Springs News Telegram on Sunday, October 19, 2008 in the Variety Section. We had several family members who attended last years reunion but were unable to make the trip this year. (health, distance, etc) We missed you. Perhaps this update will allow you a visit with your cousins.

A date was set for the next reunion so mark your calendars for the first Saturday in October 2009 in Sulphur Springs

Welcome to the Ponder Reunion 2008

Nobie's wooden bread bowl, her oil lamp and a crystal bowl are currently in the home of her grand-daughter. They were brought to the reunion and added to a display table for everyone to enjoy. That grand-daughter stands in front of the table.

Notebooks with family group sheets and pictures for each of Frank and Nobie's children were on display for everyone to browse. We had three scanners, plenty of ink and photo paper available to make copies.

10 grandchildren attending the reunion

2nd cousins attending the reunion

Sure hope you enjoyed the pictorial journal of the Ponder reunion!

Click here to return to Frank and Nobie's page