October 22, 1942 - April 7, 2021
Celebration of life for Ponda Crance Liggan will be Sunday, April 11, 2021. Visitation will be
held from 2:00 - 3:30, at Rainbow Presbyterian Church. Graveside services for family and
friends will follow at Ragland United Methodist Church Cemetery, Reverend Jeremy Beck
officiating.
Ponda was born in Ragland, Alabama October 22, 1942. She graduated from Ragland High
School in 1961 and started Keevil Kurl Beauty School. In 1963 she moved to Gadsden and
started working at the Town and Country beauty salon. On January 5, 1964, she married her
high school sweetheart, Morris, and were married for 57 years. Ponda enjoyed being a full time
beautician, but chose to work part time, from home, when her children were born. After raising
her children, she went to work for the Gadsden City School system, and retired after 20 years
of service. Ponda was known as a “Jack of all trades”. Any given day, you could easily see her
in her garden or find her in the middle of a DIY project transforming one of her found
“treasures” into a masterpiece. She could sew anything, root a dead twig, and whisper the
fussiest baby to a peaceful sleep. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren they were
her world. She had been an active member of Grace Bible Church. Pastor Ken Gourlay was
instrumental in furthering her walk with Christ.
Ponda was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Maudie Crance, sister Mary Helen
Crance, brothers Ronald Crance and Dickie Crance. She is survived by her devoted husband
Morris Liggan, children Craig Liggan (Jennifer) and Jessica Liggan Howard (Jay). Grandchildren
Carson and Davis Liggan, and Ella and Betsy Howard. Brother in law Barry Liggan (Donna),
sister in law Bobbie Crance, and cousins, nieces, and nephew. Ponda also leaves behind her
very special, childhood best friend Mary Lee Phillips.
After a valiant, 4 year battle with ovarian cancer, Ponda was called home April 7, 2021.
The family would like to thank Dr. Werner Huh of UAB Gyn Oncology, Dr. Layla Wren, and Dr.
Sandra Carpenter. also a special thank you to the 8th floor nurses and staff, Amy Chastain, RN,
Jessica Knott, RN, and Karen Scott ,Food and Nutrition, at Gadsden Regional Medical Center
for their compassionate care.
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