Eugene Henry Pons

Preacher Eugene Henry Pons, 81, of Morganton, NC went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 12, 2013. Born February 23, 1932 in Buncombe County, NC, he was a son of the late Emmanuel Pons and Mary Frank and her husband, Tom. Eugene was a member of The Way of the Cross Baptist Church. He pastored churches in Burke County for over 38 years, and his life’s ambition was being a "soul winner". He was a true servant of God. Eugene and his family, the Pons Family Gospel Singers, performed all over both North and South Carolina. He was devoted to his prison ministry, and was named the 2010 Volunteer of the Year at Foothills Correctional Center. Eugene was proud of his Waldensian heritage. In his early years, he was a baseball pitcher for minor leagues. Eugene was also an avid fisherman and golfer.Eugene is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruby Clark Pons of the home; children, Thomas Pons, Sr. and wife, Teresa, John Pons, Sr., Todd Pons and wife, Lisa, all of Morganton, Debra Byrd and husband, Charles of Glen Alpine, and Hope Lail and husband, Scott of Newton. He was called by many of his grandchildren, "Paw Paw Blue Jeans".The grandchildren along with the granddog, China Lail, include Thomas Pons, Jr., John Pons, Jr., Misti Hull and husband, Brady, Nylene Bilow and husband, Donnie, Tony Denton, Travis Byrd and Kentina, Stacey Benfield and husband, Nick, Bradley Pons and wife, Marquita, and Cara Miller and husband, Randall; great-grandchildren, Italy Pons, Ida Hope Miller, Illan Miller, Brayden Miller, Angel Pons, Parker Dilyn Pons, Korey Pons, Lily Hull, Simon Hull, Annika Hull, Dustin Crowder and wife, Lindsay, Brandon Crowder, Kelsey Bilow, Jacob Benfield, Isaac Benfield, and Nathaniel Hamer; and great-great-grandchildren, Maddox and Mason. He is also survived by a brother, Leon Pons of Valdese; and step-brothers, R.V. Smith, Gordon Smith, Junior Frank and wife, Joann, and Dennis Frank.In addition to his parents, Eugene was preceded in death by a son, Mark Alton Pons.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 16, 2013 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Ellington and Chaplain Gary Lambert officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery with military honors conducted by the NC National Guard and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Monday at the funeral home from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. At other times the family will be at the residence on Enon Road. The family suggests memorial gifts be made in Eugene’s honor to Way of the Cross Baptist Church, 4572 Denton’s Chapel Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.