Ernestine J. "Tina" Pouncy

Ernestine J. "Tina" Pouncy, devoted wife, cherished mother, adored grandmother, and family matriarch, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 4 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Born October 28, 1940, in Macon, Georgia, to the late Georgia T. Jones and L.T. Jones, Ernestine was affectionately known as "Tina." Tina graduated from Ballard High School in Macon, where she immensely enjoyed spending time with her brother, many cousins, and friends. Even in her early years, she had a natural eye for beauty and style, expressing her creativity through sewing and patternmaking. She also worked in a local hair salon while in high school, an early experience that further nurtured her appreciation for fashion, beauty, and self-expression. Tina attended Fort Valley State University, where she studied English and interior design, deepening the love of architecture, creativity, and beautiful spaces that would remain with her throughout her life.

On February 7, 1965, Tina married Philip Pouncy in Macon, GA, beginning a marriage based in faith, family, public service, and a common love of culture and the arts that would carry them through 37 years together. Their son, Dr. Calvin J. Pouncy, was born in Macon, the first of the family Tina and Philip would build together. When Philip returned from service in Vietnam, he was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, and the young family moved there to continue a beautiful life together. During the early years of their marriage in Anchorage, Tina worked in retail, where her love of fashion continued to grow, and her elegant, unmistakable sense of style began to take shape. She also volunteered as a hospital candy striper before later working in administration for the Municipality of Anchorage.

It was also in Anchorage that Tina and Philip welcomed two more daughters, Krista Pouncy-Dyson and Ambriel Pouncy, completing their family of three children. There, too, Tina volunteered as a hospital Candy Striper and later worked briefly in the medical records division. These roles reflected the natural compassion at the heart of who she was. Philip's career, including his service as an Air Force officer and later as Chief of Human Resources for the Department of Veterans Affairs, ultimately took the family to Charleston, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Great Falls, Montana; and Warner Robins, Georgia. Gifted with a natural eye for beauty, Tina was an avid and imaginative gardener who brought grace, warmth, and creativity to every space she touched, turning each house into a loving, vibrant home. She took genuine pride in her membership in the Officers' Club throughout these years of military and public service life.

Tina was a devoted mother whose generous soul and effervescent spirit filled her family’s life with love. She placed her children, Dr. Calvin J. Pouncy, Krista Pouncy-Dyson, and Ambriel Pouncy, at the center of her world, nurturing them with unwavering devotion and imparting the strength, wisdom, and guidance that helped shape who they became. She and Philip traveled extensively with their children, exposing them to different cultures, historic places, and the arts, instilling a lifelong love of learning that stayed with each of them. As a grandmother, she deeply cherished Andrew Pouncy, Christopher Pouncy-Dyson, Melvin Dyson Jr., Marissa Dyson, and Darrian Dyson, along with her great-grandchildren, Brix Dyson, Raj Dyson, and Ivan Lee, each of whom will forever carry the warmth of her presence, the depth of her love, and the wisdom she so generously shared.

She embraced people from all walks of life, welcoming them with genuine kindness and compassion. For Tina, service was a way of life, and she gave of herself in every season of it: volunteering with her children's school PTA and lending her time to organizations including the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen, and local firefighters' associations. Through decades of volunteerism and philanthropy, she worked quietly and selflessly to ensure that others felt recognized, supported, and valued.

Tina faced life's joys and challenges with courage, grace, and dignity. In her final years, she made her home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with her daughter Krista Pouncy-Dyson, son-in-law Melvin Dyson, and youngest grandson, Christopher Pouncy-Dyson, whose loving care surrounded her with tenderness. Her life stands as a testament to the enduring strength of a mother and the influence one person can have upon a family and a community.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Philip Pouncy; her mother, Georgia T. Jones; her father, L.T. Jones; and her brother, Lewis T. Jones.

Tina leaves to cherish her memory her son, Dr. Calvin J. Pouncy (Theresa); her daughters, Krista Pouncy-Dyson (Melvin) and Ambriel N. Pouncy (Jason); her grandchildren, Andrew Pouncy; Christopher Pouncy-Dyson; Melvin Dyson Jr. (Aja); Marissa Dyson; Darrian Dyson; and a host of great-grandchildren, extended family, friends, and community members whose lives she touched.

Tina's legacy will live on through the children she raised, the grandchildren she adored, and the numerous lives she touched. Her love, creativity, and devotion to others will remain forever in the hearts of all who knew her.

The Pouncy family is deeply grateful for every prayer, expression of sympathy, act of kindness, and gesture of love extended to them during this time.

A special thanks to Nurse Gail Polite and Nurse Christi Alario with Compassus Hospice, along with the staff at Rhodes Funeral Home.

The final funeral arrangements will be held at Snow's Funerals and Cremations at Macon Memorial Park, 3929 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31210, on Wednesday, August 19th, 2026. Viewing begins at 10:30 am.