Freida Allen Ponder, 72, of Mars Hill passed away on May 31, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents Kelley and Dorothy Allen. She attended Mars Hill United Methodist Church. She was a dedicated schoolteacher in the Madison County Schools for 25 years where she was awarded Teacher of the Year twice during her career. She was a published author of three novels: ONLY THE LONELY, LAURA OF CATALOOCHEE, and THE MAGIC OF EVERYDAY LIVES.

She is survived by her loving, faithful husband of 50 years – Forrest Ponder Jr.; her daughter Kelley Wheeler, her son-in-law Matthew Wheeler; her son Brian Ponder, and her daughter-in-law Brittany Ponder. She is also survived by her four precious granddaughters Eden Wheeler, Amelia, Evelyn, and Josephine Ponder, and her brother Michael Allen and wife Rosemary.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022, in Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service at 2:00 pm with Reverend D. Harry Culbertson Jr. and Reverend Lisa Hartzog officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the chapel. A private burial with her family will be held at Mars Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Beacon of Hope at PO Box 877, Marshall, NC 28753.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org