MRS. RUTH WAITS PONDER HOWELL, age 93, of Smallen Road, Lyerly, Georgia passed away Sunday, August 24, 2014, in the local rest home. Born in Polk County, Georgia on September 25, 1920, She was a daughter of the late George Stanley and Effie Coker Waits. Mrs. Howell was a member of Perennial Springs Baptist Church, and was retired from the sample department of the former Bigelow-Sanford Rug Mill. She was preceded in death by husband, the late Hillary Howell, Sisters- Edith McGraw, Faye Ozment, Carole Baker and Lodema Waits. One Brother- Kelsey Waits.

Surviving are- Daughter, Vivian Price of Lyerly, Son- Charles Ponder of Orange Park, Fla., Step-daughter- Gail Elrod of Summerville, Sister- Eddie Tinney of Summerville, Brother- Dudley Waits of Rockmart, GA. Eight Grandchildren, Fourteen Great Grandchildren, Four Great Great Grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 27, at 12:30 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. Lee Byrd and Rev. Alton Stamey officiating, interment in Lyerly Cemetery. Active pallbearers- Tony McGraw, Bill Reed, Tim Kilgore, Dee Price, Todd Ponder and Tyler Wilson. Honorary Pallbearers- The Ladies Sunday School Class of Perennial Springs Baptist Church, Randy Marshall and Martha Chisolm. Visitation will be at the Funeral Home Wednesday from 11:00 A.M. until the hour of service. 

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.