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My Grand mother was Mattie Lee Ponder.She would be the mother of Ann Kelley,My mother.Grand ma Ponder was married to bee King Ponder.
My Grand Ma,Vera Fite Parker Kelley would be the mother to my father,Ted Shelton Kelley.She was married to Hiram Owen Kelley.
My father told me his mother died when he was olny 4 or 5.
My father Ted was married to Shirley vos and gave birth to two boys,James ( Jim ) and Michael ( Mike ) Kelley. She died when Mike was a baby from cancer at the age of 22 or 24.
Ted married my mother,Ann AKA: Abbie Aster in Dec. of 1959 or 1960. She gave birth to Ted Larry Kelley in 62.Ted Larry died in her arms at the hospital in El Dorado Arkansas in 1962.I was born in Jan.17 1963.
The Ponders have a big Ponder reunion every June at a state park in Louisiana.About 250 people show up for the weekend.
We have a large cookout, games for the children to play and of course a swimming pool. Vic and Jan bring a big set-up for the music. On Saturday night we all get togeather and have a long dance party.We also have the main bunk house that will sleep 200 people. We do some of the cooking here.Most of the meat will be cooked on pits that the men bring.We bring items we have made or think we made to the reunion for a raffal.We have a blast.
I started my research in may of 2003. I have found two long lost 1st. cousins , Evelyn French and her brother Howard Kelley.
She has sent me lots of information.Thank You Evelyn and Howard.
Howard has sent me two books that he wrote."Born In The U.S.A. Raised In Guinea" , "The Life And Times Of A Boy From Clark, Louisiana". Howard has a web site. www.newguineawarstories.com
I would also like to thank Nancy for her help. She was the one that put me intouch with Evelyn. She is also a new cousin.
Mrs. Janice was also very helpful.I think she was the one that put me in touch with Nancy.
Thank you all very much again.
Karen Bricklen
Up Date
9/12/03
Mrs.Jane Combs has invited me to her website. Lots of information to share. Thank you Jane!
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