Rachel Lee Ponder Edwards

WEAVERVILLE—Rachel Lee Ponder Edwards, age 80, of 297 Sheppard Branch Rd., died Thursday, February 19, 2009. Mrs. Edwards was born February 7, 1929, in Buncombe County where she had lived all of her life. She was the daughter of the late Denver Maloy and Margie Head Ponder. She was a member of Mt. Bethel F.W.B. Chapel. Rachel Lee loved her church and family. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Raymond "Dock" Edwards, and her brother, Orman Ponder. Surviving are her sisters, Ida Mae Riddle and husband Rev. Paul Riddle of Asheville, Louise Presley and husband LeRoy of Arden and Jeanie Ballard and husband Randall of Asheville; brother, Dayton Ponder of Black Mountain; special sister-in-law and caregiver, Marjorie Styles of Asheville; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM, Saturday, February 21st, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home with Rev. Michael Thomas and Rev. Roy McPeters officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Bethel Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Michael King and Rev. Roger Boone conducting the graveside rites. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 PM prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Mt. Bethel Freewill Baptist Church, 290 Sheppard Branch Rd., Weaverville, NC 28787. www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com