Nancy Ruth Tong Ponds

Nancy was born on November 21, 1946, to Alfred Dean Tong and Daisie Louise Scott Tong at Mitchell Field Air Base on Long Island, N.Y. She grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and was a Greenville High and Winthrop University graduate. In 1967 she married her beloved husband, Bill, and together they embarked on an exciting 22-year adventure with the Air Force. They had two daughters, and moved over 10 times…. to Texas, Iceland, Utah, South Carolina, Germany, Virginia, New York, and Alabama. After his military retirement, she and Bill were able to design and build their dream home on the Tennessee River, where they hosted many friends and family. In 2012 they moved to North Carolina to be near their children and grandchildren. She was a strong and capable military wife, and some of her passions were gardening, traveling and caring for her pets. Nancy managed to use her math education degree and organizational skills at every opportunity, working as a substitute teacher, executive assistant, and project manager. A dedicated mother, she volunteered with the PTA, Girl Scouts, and was a founding officer of the Coalition for Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders of North Alabama. Unfortunately, in 2008 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and fought it with the help of her entire family. Nancy was a kind, generous, faithful Christian lady, teaching children’s and Ladies’ Bible classes and spreading the gospel wherever she was. Many impromptu meals were shared and rooms opened for visiting missionaries, preachers, or just friends that were in need. She loved making newcomers feel at home and comfortable. Her greatest achievement was raising two faithful Christian daughters.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her aunt, Neely Scott, and grandmother, Elizabeth Saye Scott, and is lovingly remembered by her husband of 54 years, William Burton Ponds, daughters: Neely Suzanne Ponds Loving (Jeff) and Michelle Louise Ponds Pineda (Luis), five grandchildren: Adam Bryant Loving, Sarah Isabelle Loving, Anthony Ponds Pineda, Alex Ponds Pineda, Austin Ponds Pineda, sisters: Linda Kay Tong Anderson, Rebecca Rose Tong Pepper and Patsy Ann Tong, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 2:30 PM at Raleigh Church of Christ, 911 Barringer Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606. The family would be pleased if bright colors are worn to honor her successful Christian life!

Nancy will be laid to rest next to her mother and grandmother in a private burial ceremony at Graceland Cemetery in Greenville, SC.

Fond memories and expressions of condolences may be shared online at apexfuneral.net for the Ponds family.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be made to: The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, FDR Station, PO Box 220, New York, NY 10150.