Napoleon Nigel Ponder

I am home in heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright.
There is a perfect joy and beauty
in this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
safely home in heaven at last.

It is with sincere sympathy that Gatlin Mortuary Inc. announces the passing of Mr. Napoleon Nigel Ponder. We are honored to be selected by his family to serve them with excellence through professional service. ~Modern Day Services with Traditional Values

Mr. Napoleon Nigel Ponder, was born on May 20, 1971, in Valdosta, GA, to the late Vera Mae Ponder and the late Johnny N. Ponder. Known as “Nigel” to many, Napoleon had an entrepreneur spirit and he was the CEO of his company called Big Pine Properties, LLC. He was very spirited and intelligent and had a loving character, always willing to share time to assist family and friends in a variety of ways. He was a loving father and very caring fiancé. As a child, he attended the Church of Christ with his parents.

On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, Napoleon was granted eternal rest from his labor on earth. Left to celebrate the legacy of his life and cherish many precious memories are his children, Diamond J. Ervin, Brianna N. Ponder (Will), Nizeria T. Ponder, and Ciara N. Ponder; fiancée, Tonya Johnson; sister and her husband, Debra T. Martin and Gregory Martin; three brothers, Abner Smith, Johnny T. Ponder, and Leroy Ponder; uncles, Dr. Molefi K. Asante (Ana), Paul Smith, Ralph Smith, Alfred Ponder, Eddie Ponder (Angela) and Billy Ponder (Vera); great-
aunt, Georgia Johnson; aunts, Katrina Ponder-Taylor, Tina Ponder Moore (Kenny), Juanita Cannon, Lucille Mitchell, Carolyn Murphy,
Brenda Smith, Sandra Woodard, and Linda Washington (Edmond); close and caring friends, Jamele Davis and Jenny Flanders; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other extended family, and friends.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, July 15, 2022 at Woodlawn Forrest Church of Christ @ 11 a.m. Brother Leroy Butler will officiate. Interment will follow in the Riverview Memorial Gardens. Public Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at Gatlin Mortuary from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

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