Carrie Wells Ponds, CNA, educator, and co-founder of The Drum passes away at 81
Carrie Wells Ponds, CNA, educator, and co-founder of The Drum passes away at 81
Family and community leaders to celebrate Ponds' life Saturday, July 16 at First True Love World Outreach Ministries in Ponchatoula.
Carrie Wells Ponds, “Granny” as she was so affectionately called by her grandchildren, was born February 10, 1941, in Ponchatoula to the late Louis Wells and Charlotte Wells Jefferson. Carrie was educated in the Tangipahoa Parish School System and graduated from Greenville Park High in 1960.
She married Eddie Ponds on June 24, 1962. God blessed this union with two daughters, Michelle and Sharon. Carrie and Eddie were blessed to have celebrated 60 wonderful and loving years of marriage.
Always a dedicated mother and hard worker, Carrie worked as a certified nursing assistant at Hammond Nursing Home and as an early childhood educator at Little Oaks Day Care until she retired in the early 2000s. Then, she joined Eddie as co-founder of The Drum, the Florida Parishes’ longest-published Black community newspaper.
As a young woman, Carrie united with the New Zion Baptist Church where she faithfully served as a loyal member and as an Usher.
Carrie was a founding member of the Civic Organization for People Elation (COPE). COPE is the oldest and only incorporated civic organization that worked to ensure Tasker Park became a reality for the Ponchatoula community.
Carrie loved her family and enjoyed the times when her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were gathered together. She enjoyed traveling with her family, good food, music, and fun. Most of all Carrie enjoyed decorating her home and entertaining family and friends.
Carrie touched many people's lives, always offering kind words of encouragement, advice, and support. She always led by example.
On Saturday, July 9, 2022, God saw that Carrie was tired and whispered sweetly in her ear, “Come Home.” She obeyed the Master’s voice and quietly slipped into eternity.
Carrie has now joined those family members who preceded her in death. They are father Louis Wells; mother Charlotte Wells Jefferson; brothers Louis Wells Jr., Johnny Wells, Percy Wells, and Charles Wells; and sister Deborah Wells Richardson.
Carrie leaves to cherish her memories husband Eddie Ponds, daughters Michelle (Robin) Nesbitt and Sharon Ponds; grandchildren Robin “Tony” Nesbitt Jr. and Christine Nesbitt; great-grandchildren Micah Nesbitt and Robin Nesbitt III; sisters Bernice Jackson, Debbie Wells, and Priscilla Phillips; brothers Larry Wells and Sammy Mearridy; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and the New Zion Baptist Church Family.
Saturday, July 16, 2022 at, First True Love World Outreach Ministries, 41239 South Range Road, Ponchatoula. Louisiana 70454
Viewing: 9am - 10am
Service: 10am.
Carrie Wells Ponds, CNA, educator, and co-founder of The Drum passes away at 81
Mrs. Carrie always carried a beautiful smile, and always encouraged me and my twin sister. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to the family during this difficult time. Shantellia McGhee
Words can't express how much Ms. Carrie meant to me. She took me under her wings as a young CNA @ Hammond Nursing Home. We worked side by side for years.I appreciated our talks and her words of wisdom. She would call me babygirl. She and others hosted my first baby shower. She LOVED her family and spoke truth to life never sugar coated words. It saddens my heart to hear of her passing, but our God knows best even when we don't understand. RIP Ms. Carrie ❤️