December 18, 1929 ~ March 20, 2026 (age 96)
“In the time of your life, live — so that in that wondrous time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite delight and mystery of it.” — William Saroyan
Sara Jean Ponder Ector (Sara Jean) passed away on March 20, 2026, at Bethany House, Auburn, Alabama. She was a native and lifelong resident of Lanett, Alabama.
Sara Jean was born in Lanett on December 18, 1929. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Marion Jonathan (MJ) Lunceford and Maude Sands Lunceford; her cherished husbands, Bedford Franklin Ponder, Jr., and Hugh Haley Ector; along with her sister, Marian Lunceford Johnson, her sister-in-law Peggy Ponder Beach, her stepson Richard Ector, and one precious great-grandchild, Lakin Rayfield.
Sara Jean is survived by her children Marian Jean Ponder, Emily Jane Murphy, Patricia J. Ponder (Dr. Dan Millard), Bedford Franklin Ponder III and Susan Slade Ponder. While Susan is Frank’s adored wife, she was equally Sara Jean’s daughter, as she took such loving care of her during Sara Jean’s final years, and was in fact holding her hand and guiding her to the angels on the morning of her passing. The entire extended family’s gratitude to Susan for her ceaseless, kind, gentle care of Sara Jean is boundless.
Sara Jean is also survived by her deeply loved grandchildren, who all adored their Two-Mama: Lauren Grubbs-Shaney (Tammy), Leigh Loveday (Rodney), Julie Murphy, Sara Harveston (Bradley), Stephen Murphy (Lindsey), Frank Ponder IV (Anne) and Slade Ponder (Katie), and her beloved great-grandchildren: Keegan, Jacob, Shane, Olivia, Ryan, Reagan, Isaac, Lily, Ford, Ava, Reese, and Sara Grace. She is also survived by cherished nieces, Eva Marie Thomas, Kay McClain and Jenny Meador, nephew, Robert Johnson, stepson Robert Ector, and stepdaughter Helen Caummisar.
Sara Jean was born a bright spot at the start of the dark Depression, personifying the “call to life” in the quote by William Saroyan, above. She in fact selected that quote herself to include in her Lanett High School yearbook, of which she was Editor. She was also Valedictorian of her class and Good Citizenship Girl. She went on to represent the entire state of Alabama as its Good Citizenship Girl, a great honor for both Sara Jean and her school.
While the times were such that even this top, much-honored scholar was not able to immediately attend college, Sara Jean would later attend classes at LaGrange College, audit classes at Auburn, and was also brilliantly self-taught. She was a voracious reader and a veritable fount of knowledge on many subjects, as myriad and interesting as the interpretation of dreams, the psychology of color, and the history of fashion and religion. She would go on to distinguish herself in the Public Relations (PR) field.
At a time when West Point Pepperell (WPP) was dominating commerce in the Chattahoochee Valley area, Sara Jean literally created her own flourishing career out of the company’s textile products. Starting as a PR aide, she parlayed her talents into becoming WPP’s Consumer Programs Specialist, with the unique idea of creating fashion shows from clothing items made from WPP products. Writing her own knowledgeable (and fun!) scripts, she traveled across the country and internationally and made stars of her attractive local models, even enticing national celebrities such as the reigning Miss America to come model for her. Indeed, she became quite the star herself, traveling to China with the initial group of American Women in Radio and Television and rubbing elbows with such luminaries as Gloria Steinham, Betty White, and Gloria Vanderbilt. She was even invited to attend a NASA space launch, at a time when the space program was utilizing WPP’s cloth. And, oh, how we are sure that Sara Jean would love to tell you about all of this herself, as she was such an intelligent, vivacious, sought-after speaker and natural storyteller.
“Miss Sara Jean” will be remembered fondly for her ebullient spirit and personality, as well as her devout faith. She led Sunday School classes for many years at both the Lanett, Alabama and West Point, Georgia United Methodist Churches, and was a true religious scholar, taking to heart the works of C.S. Lewis as well as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the noted theologian and martyr. Even as memory loss stole many things from her, she could always recite her favorite verses, Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
Sara Jean enjoyed so much of life and was accomplished in a multitude of areas. She was lovingly referred to by her husband, Frank Ponder, as “Mrs. Lake Martin” when she would happily slalom behind his boat for hours. Family always came first for Sara Jean, and she was its glue and undisputed matriarch. The whole family will treasure the memories of her hundreds of delicious, gourmet holiday dinners, whose menus she painstakingly recorded so that she made sure everyone always got their favorites. She created solid and loving traditions that will last our lifetimes. No doubt the angels in Heaven are enjoying her delectable angel biscuits right now!
Sara Jean and her Frankie enjoyed a full life together, raising their four children, prior to his early and greatly mourned death. While he could never have been replaced, Sara Jean was blessed with a very happy second marriage, to Haley Ector. They shared an endless love of travel, touring the world together and living life in full until he preceded her in Heaven, as well.
While she always had a zest for life, Sara Jean was perhaps happiest when reading stories or making up her own tales for her devoted grandchildren. They truly were the loves of her life, and her shining legacy. May Sara Jean rest in peace. Hers was a life writ large.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to her devoted caregivers, Angie, Keisha, Felicia, Elaine, Denise, and Sylvia, special friend Linda Gauntt, and The Bethany House Hospice Home. They also wish to convey their gratitude to Sybil and Charla Crowder for all the delicious Sunday night meals.
The family will host a visitation at the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, 3700 20th Avenue, Valley, Alabama, at 2pm EDT, on Wednesday, March 25th, with the funeral service following at 3pm at the funeral home. The service will be officiated by her cousin Jimmy Sands. Flowers may be sent to the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, and memorial gifts may be made to Lanett United Methodist Church or the Bethany House Hospice in Auburn, Alabama.
Please visit Sara Jean’s Memorial Tribute page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a kind word for her family, to share a memory of Sara Jean, or to light a Remembrance Candle in her memory.
Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley directing.
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