Eleanor Israel Ponder died on July 7, 2011.  Mrs. Ponder was born on August 13, 1925 to the self-described “prolific Israel family” and raised in the Hominy Valley District of Buncombe County. Her father was J.O. Israel, her mother Bessie Davis. She was a life-long resident of Buncombe County as were generations of Israels and Davises before her.

With an AA from Mars Hill College (then a two-year school) and a BA in Journalism (plus teaching certificate) from UNC-Chapel Hill received in 1946, Mrs. Ponder began teaching English at Valley Springs School in 1947 and moved to T.C. Roberson when the school opened in 1962. Called “Mother” Ponder, “Mama P,” or just “Mom” by her students, Mrs. Ponder never doubted, in almost forty years in the classroom, that she was born to teach. She taught English to academically gifted students, grades nine through twelve, and taught Dramatics. She also was a voracious reader. One year, her students went on a self-proclaimed mission to find a (worthy) book that she had not read – and failed! An inspiring and exacting stage director, she guided her students to numerous “Distinguished” acting and play performance awards at regional and state levels, even as she taught them professionalism, commitment, and perseverance. In her time, the walls of the theatre (now the art room) were covered with certificates from Playmakers Theatre-Carolina Dramatics Association. The student yearbook named her “Teacher of the Year” twice and in June of 2011, the English wing at T.C. Roberson was named for her in a dedication ceremony attended by over 100 former students, colleagues, and friends.

When Herschel D. Ponder returned from service as a pilot in the Army Air Force in WWII, he proposed to Eleanor Israel on Christmas Eve after the midnight service at All Souls Episcopal Church in Biltmore. Raised a Baptist, she became an Episcopalian and held many positions of leadership at All Souls for more than 60 years. She served as the first woman Senior Warden in the Episcopal Church in North Carolina, chosen for that role in January 1973. She held that position for five separate three-year terms at All Souls. She co-chaired a fundraiser for “Venture in Mission,” which became fundamental in establishing hospice services in Western North Carolina. Many parishioners also recall that Mrs. Ponder played a role in All Souls Episcopal Church being consecrated as the seat of the Bishop of the Diocese of Western North Carolina and becoming the Cathedral of All Souls.  As a faithful worker in the church, Mrs. Ponder was a recipient of the 2007 God’s Hands award given to All Souls members in recognition of long service.

Mrs. Ponder worked diligently with Asheville Community Theatre, creating memorable roles and rotating several times through the Board of Directors. She served on the UNC Asheville Foundation Board from 1992 to 1996, was a member of the first College for Seniors Board, and taught poetry at the College for Seniors for several years.

Mrs. Ponder was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years and love of her life, Herschel D. Ponder in 2007; her parents; and her younger brother, J. O. “Jim” Israel, Jr.  Mrs. Ponder is survived by her three daughters – Anne Ponder, Carol Ponder, and Schell Ponder Alexander; four grandchildren – Kathryn Jeanne Alexander, Samuel Herschel Alexander, Stephen Christopher Brookhouse and Nathaniel Brookhouse; and four great-grandchildren – Taylor, Grace, Caroline, and Benjamin Brookhouse.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be directed to one of three organizations: The Herschel and Eleanor Ponder Discretionary Fund, c/o UNC Asheville Foundation, 1 University Heights, Asheville, NC  28804; The Generation to Generation Building Fund, Cathedral of All Souls, 9 Swan Street, Asheville, NC  28803; or The Eleanor Ponder Scholarship, 521 Rose Hill Road, Asheville, NC  28803.

A service for Eleanor Israel Ponder will be held at the Cathedral of All Souls on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 3:00 PM, one month before what would have been her 86^th birthday. As part of the service, her ashes will be placed in the Garth at the Cathedral followed by a reception.