Nancy Ann Ponder Squire

Obituary Notice

Nancy Ann Ponder Squire, of Little Rock, departed this life on May 7, 2001. She persevered courageously through a long battle with cancer. Born November 17, 1919 to the late Laura Dover Musick Ponder and the late Ezra Kinzie Ponder, Sr. of Donaphan, Missouri, she was soon joined by her two brothers, the late John Dover Ponder, and Ezra Kinzie Ponder, Jr. of West Warrick Rhode Island who survives. Her early education was in the Donaphan, Missouri elementary schools, and she graduated from Sikeston, Missouri High School. Nancy Ann Graduated from Southwest Missouri University with a B.S.E. degree. She was a member of Sorosis Literary Society. She did graduate work in education at Quincy College, Quincy, Illinois and at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas. She began teaching in the Piedmont, Missouri public schools in 1939. Her teaching career ended in retirement in 1988. She was honored this last winter by the City of Fort Smith as one of its Spirit of the Frontier honorees for 2000, a tribute to her long and fruitful teaching career. 

Her husband Arthur Edwin Squire, Sr. precedes her in death. They celebrated 51 years of marriage. She is survived by her children, Dr. Arthur E. Squire and wife Nan of Little Rock, and Mr. Robert M. Squire and wife Sharon of Enid, Oklahoma. Her grandchildren include Laura Eugenia Squire, Sarah Clarke Squire, Anna Weston Squire, Melissa Ann, and Robert Justin Squire. Nancy Ann was baptized at age 14 and was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Smith. 

As her final illness brought her to live close to her family in Little Rock, she accompanied her children and grandchildren to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral where her funeral service will be held Thursday, May 10th, at 10:00 A.M. officiated by The Very Reverend Henry Hudson, with interment to follow at Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock. She asks that memorials be made to the Cathedral Concerts at Trinity Episcopal Parish, 17th and Spring Streets, Little Rock, Arkansas, or the Music Fund, First Presbyterian Church, Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.