Teresa Ponton Blackwell

Teresa Ann Ponton Blackwell passed away on Wednesday, November 30, having been tired of battling cancer. She was not alone when she left this world. Her husband and daughter were holding her hands when she peacefully slipped away and fell right into the arms of her loved ones who had gone before her: her parents, Elwood and Hilda Ponton and her sister, Faye Lunsford. No doubt her hound, Henry and grand-hound Woody were right at her feet.

Teresa was her name, but she more commonly went by Mama, MeeMaw, Dinky, TREESA, or Teelapee. She was a force to be reckoned with. She was strong, caring, stubborn, quick-witted, and silly. She loved to crochet, watch endless hours of Food Network, sing ridiculous songs to her daughter and hound, and hunt for beach glass.

She felt blessed to be able to love those she left behind: her diligently devoted husband of 37 years, Donny; her daughter whom she “spit out of her mouth”, Shellie; her son-in-law, Ryan; her sister, Barbara; her niece, Rhonda, and nephew Jack; hound, Finn and grand-hound, Oliver. She was also flawlessly supported by her best friend and partner in crime, Margo; her childhood friend, Susan; and all of “the girls” at JF.

Teresa lived in Lynchburg her whole life. She only left long enough to vacation at the beach and visit her daughter in North Carolina. Even though she held several positions in the area, she finally felt like she was at home with her friends and co-workers in the nutrition department at Jefferson Forest High School. It was hard work, but she absolutely loved it.

And as a personal note to Mom,

We miss you so much that we can’t hardly breathe. We will miss all the laughter we won’t have with you, but will remember all the laughter we did share, (our abdominal muscles are still healing). We will miss your brutal, but hilarious honesty. Thank you for the unconditional love, legendary recipes, and magical Christmases. Thank you for bringing basset hounds into our lives; drool, hair tumbleweeds, and all. And thank you for making everyone in your life better people. Check in on us every now and then.

As per her wishes, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers we ask that you consider a donation to Carolina Basset Hound Rescue.