Drew Ponder lived an extraordinary life that ended too soon on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at his home in Batesville, AR.
Drew was born in Waco, TX on March 22, 1946, to Judge Andrew Gant Ponder Sr. and Maurelle Pickens Ponder and grew up in Newport, AR. He graduated from Kemper Military School in 1964 and from Arkansas College in 1968. While in college, he spent a year abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, a formative experience. After graduation, Drew enlisted in the army and was stationed in Berlin, Germany, where he was the editor of a military newspaper. He married Vicki Lanier in 1972 and moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a speechwriter for John McClellan among other Arkansas politicians. After that, Drew briefly attended law school at the University of Arkansas, studied under Bill Clinton, and later worked on Clinton’s first congressional campaign.
Drew and Vicki ended up back in Arkansas, where Drew managed several locations of Davey’s Locker record stores. In 1979, Drew welcomed many changes: a new job at CBS Records, a move to Nashville, TN, and the birth of his only child Maurie. In Nashville, Drew was surrounded by his greatest joy, music, and his award-winning stint at CBS lasted several years. Drew never lost his interest in writing and tried to get his own songwriting career off the ground. Around 1987, Maurie began writing poetry herself and Drew and Maurie wrote and performed several poetry readings together under the name New Stuff/Old Stuff.
In 1995, Drew reconnected with childhood Batesville friend, Ansel Rhodes, and moved back to Arkansas for good. Drew and Ansel were married in 1995. Drew spent his retirement in Batesville wrangling dogs, spending time with his dear friend Drury Adams, growing his impressive collection of vinyl, watching countless hours of St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and cultivating his air of Southern eccentricity.
Drew was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Belle Ponder, and his uncle Drury Adams. He is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years Ansel Rhodes Ponder, mother-in-law Ann Rhodes, brother Gib Ponder, daughter Maurie Ponder, son-in-law Paul Dowell, and granddaughters Daisy and Ellie Dowell.
Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 424 E Main St. Batesville, AR 72501 on Friday, October 7, 2022, at 3:00 PM, officiated by The Reverend Jim McDonald. Reception to follow in St. Paul’s Parish Hall.
Honorary Pallbearers: Mark Williams, John Harris, Paul Dowell, Bob Hall, Kenny Gephart
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Independence County Humane Society, 5 Environmental Drive, Batesville, AR 72501 and or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 424 E. Main St, Batesville, AR 72501.
