Josephine Beall Ponder, known to most as “Jobie” passed away peacefully in her apartment at Huntcliff Summit Assisted Living in Sandy Springs, Georgia on June 11, 2026. Born in Dothan, Alabama on April 7th, 1932, she was 94 years old.
She will be remembered by her friends and family as a vibrant and fun-loving person that made friends easily and loved them dearly. She loved tennis, golf, fishing, dancing, and serving as Captain of their boat, the Why Knot. Her favorite place in the world was Compass Lake, Florida, which her family has enjoyed for seven generations.
One of her nieces said that she was unafraid of life and of death. This describes her long and full life perfectly.
Jobie was especially proud of her children, six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Jobie was married for 48 years to Dan Ponder, Sr. before his passing in 2001. She assisted him in operating Beall Peanut Company in their hometown of Cottonwood, AL. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Joe and Catharine Beall, her sister Catharine Byrd (Bill), and her brother Joe Beall, Jr.
Mrs. Ponder is survived by her children, Dan Ponder, Jr. (Mary Lou) of Auburn, AL; Ernest Ponder (Karen) of Dahlonega, GA, and Josephine Hasler (Jim) of Roswell, GA.
Other survivors include her grandchildren Catherine Vanstone (Daaron) of Bainbridge, GA, Elizabeth Faulk (Grant) of Dothan, AL, Stephen Hasler (Mandi) of Cumming, GA, Bailey Cochran (Justin) of Lavonia, GA, Addison Fields (Jay) of Blairsville, GA, and Davis Ponder (Jalen) of Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
Jobie is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Henry Vanstone; Laura, Will & Andrew Faulk; Mason Hasler; Anniston & Lennon Cochran; Payne & Lucy Fields, and Tatum Ponder.
There will be a private graveside service for the family at the Cottonwood City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Capstone Hospice, 5550 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 150, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 or the charity of your choice.
HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
DOTHAN: 6:15 PM Dothan 911 dispatched a structure fire at 218 Dempsey Court, off Denton Road, in Dothan. Person reporting advised 911 heavy smoke from the rear of the residnece.
Dothan Fire Engine 6 ( Napier Field Road ) reported smoke could be seen from a distrance away.
6:20 PM Dothan Fire Engine 6 ( Napier Field Road ) reported a single story residential strcture, heavy smoke visible. Reported a working structure fire with an offensive attack.Engine 6 reported they did not connect to a hydrant and next incoming engine company needs to connect to a fire hydrant.
Engine 6 exited the structure due to the heat and making an aggressive fire attack from another area. Heavy fire on the back side and roof line of the residence.
Dothan Fire Battalion Chief Jack Wood is on the scene and in command of the fire. Engine 6 requested an attack team enter from the garage to offensively attack the fire. Dothan Fire Deputy Chief Pete Webb is responding to the fire.
6:28 PM Search team is in the garage, heavy heat if felt and search team backing out and applying mmore water to the fire.
6:30 PM Flames visible to the center of the roof.
6:31 PM Dothan Fire Battalion Chief Jack Wood jas requested a fourth fire engine be dispatched and respond.
6:32 PM Fire Attack has changed to a defensive fire attack and all fireman inside has been instructued to exit the structure.
6:50 PM Dothan 911 has made contact with homeowners. They are not home and just moved in a week ago. Deputy Fire Chief Pete Webb reported fire on the front side.
7:06 PM Dothan Fire reports significant roof cave in at the center of the residence.
DOTHAN: 10:05 PM Dothan 911 dispatched a firearm assault at Campbellton Highway and Taylor Road. The initial reports are a female was shot in the chest.
Dothan 911 received information on a suspect vehicle. Dothan Police and Houston County Sheriff Deputies have spread out casting a wide net for a suspect vehicle that left the scene.
Dothan Fire Engine Company 2 ( Lakewood ) and Pilcher Ambulance are on the scene. Initial reports to victim is conscious.
Dothan Criminal Investigation Division and Dothan Police Crime Scene Investigators have been dispatched to the scene.
UPDATED @ 10:26 PM
Dothan Fire Medics ( 2 ) are on board with Pilcher Amulance transporting the firearm assault victim, emergency, to Southeast Health.
COTTONWOOD – DISTRICT 2: This evening D-2 Houston County Commissioner Candidate Chris Love held a hamburger supper for the community.
The election run off is this coming Tuesday. Love is seeking the registered voters to turn out to vote and very humbly as for the voters to VOTE CHRIS LOVE.
Love wants to be a servant of the people, listen to the people, be honest with the people. A public servant who truly votes for everyone, regardless of their status in life.
A lerge turnout for hamburgers, beans, french fries and great fellowship. A lot of people from all walks of life were on hand.
HODGESVILLE: 6:03 PM Houston County 911 dispatched a firearm assault at Shady Grove Trailer Park on Hodgesville Road. The initial call was a 13 year old was shot in the head.
Multiple Houston County Sheriff Deputies responded along with Hodgeville Volunteer Fire and Rehobeth Fire – Rescue.
Houston County 911 instructed both Hodgesville Volunteer Fire and Rehobeth Fire – Rescue to stage until law enforcement declared the scene safe.
Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza, Sheriff Criminal Investigation Captain Donovan Arias, Houston County Patrol Captain Tony Turner, Houston County Sheriff Patrol Lt. Bradley Shaw and multiple deputies rolled. Houston County Patrol Lt. Bradley Shaw responded.
As Deputies quickly checked the scene and 43 year old male subject was detained. It was determined the 13 year old was not the target and was only grazed, minor. The 13 year old refused medical treatment and was not transported.
The 43 year old suspect was transported to Houston County Sheriff Department Criminal Investigation Division. Dothan Fire 911 had to be dispatched to CID because the suspect was complaining of low blood sugar and istory of diabetes.
UNCONFIRMED by law enforcement, the suspect assaulted a female, a male stepped in. The men alledged to have been doing the assaulting of the female pulled a gun and shot fired. One went into the trailer and struck the juvenile. This is UNCONFIRMED by law enforcement but is preliminary information subject to change.
