Una Versa Ponder
1911 - 1947 (36 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 3
Generation: 4
1. Una Versa Ponder was born on 16 Mar 1911 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky (daughter of William Henry Ponder and Flora Belle Carpenter); died on 12 Sep 1947 in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky; was buried on 14 Sep 1937 in Elmwood Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Notes:
Beauty Queen. Not slain, verdict of coroner, ascribing Louisville death of Cincinnatian's kin to effects of fall.
Miss Una Ponder, 26-year-old former Louisville beauty queen, who was found dying in her Louisville apartment by Greater Cincinnati relatives September 11, died of a "cerebral hemorrhage due to a fall in her home," the Jefferson County Coroner's office ruled yesterday.
Miss Ponder died the day after she was found by a sister, Mrs. Charles Rhodus, 121 Latonia Terrace Homes, Covington, and a brother, Keith Ponder, 127 Garfield Pl. They went to Louisville after receiving a mysterious telephone call that Miss Ponder was "in trouble."
Deputy Coroner Joseph Beck said that "the verdict is on the basis of information available at this time." Sgt. henry Riebel of the police homicide squad said that he still was investigating the possibility of homicide.
When found the woman's body was covered in bruises and what appeared to be cigarette burns. Death by a sadistic killer was suspected at first. Later, however, police said a closer inspection cast doubt on the possibility of injury by another person.
Cincinnati Enquirer. 23 Sep 1947.
Four men sought in beauty queen's death; Cincinnati kin find body, beaten, burned.
An investigation of the "torture" death of Miss Una V. Ponder, attractive 36-yaer-old brunette who was found dying of blows and burns in her Louisville, Ky., apartment early yesterday by four Greater Cincinnati relatives, had narrowed last night to a search for four men whose names were found in a book in the slaying victim's room.
Miss Ponder, who was crowned Miss Louisville of 1932, is a sister of Mrs. Charles Rhodus, 121 Latonia Ter., Covington; of Keith Ponder, 128 Garfield Pl, Cincinnati, and Clyde and Brown Ponder, both of Covington.
Mrs. Rhodus and the three Ponder brothers hastened to Louisville late Thursday after the victim's Covington sister had received a telephone call from a Louisville man who termed himself a male friend of Miss Ponder. The man said he had failed to obtain any answer to telephone calls or visits to Miss Ponder's apartment and had, therefore, become "uneasy" for her safety.
Escorted by Louisville police, Mrs. Rhodus and her three brothers gained entry into Miss Ponder's apartment by climbing through a window after finding all doors locked.
Inside they found sprawled on the floor Miss Ponder's almost nude body covered with bruises, cuts and what appeared to be burns. Police said they thought the burns had been caused by lighted cigarettes. Coroner Roy Carter declared the burns had been cause by "Rubbing against something."
The Coroner said Miss Ponder died of head injuries caused "by a severe blow from a blunt instrument, or from a fall." She died at a Louisville hospital several hours after she was found, without recovering her consciousness.
Police said there was no evidence of a struggle in the apartment which contained three unmade beds and what "looked like a hundred whisky bottles."
Neighbors said they had not seen Miss Ponder since early in the week and police said she probably had been beaten and burned some time Wednesday. They had no theories of a motive for the attack.
Mrs. George R. Montgomery, a neighbor, said she saw Miss Ponder talking to a man at the entrance to her apartment Late Tuesday night.
"He was leaving as I walked up and I didn't get a good look at him," Mrs. Montgomery said.
Another neighbor, Charles States, said he saw Miss Ponder at the entrance of her apartment either Tuesday or Wednesday night.
"She looked strange and I asked her if she was sick," States said. "She didn't answer so I went to my room and went to bed."
Police said they were seeking the unidentified Louisville man who called Mrs. Rhodus in the hope of obtaining some clues in the slaying. They also were seeking the men whose names were written in the book found in the apartment.
A former resident of Livingston, Ky., Miss Ponder had worked in Louisville as a drugstore clerk and a hotel news stand attendant.
Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Sep 1947. Saturday. Page 3.
Sadist blamed in woman's death.
Louisville, Ky. Sept. 13. (INS) - A sadist who apparently sued a cigaret to speckle his victim's body with burns was sought today in the death of an attractive brunette found unconscious and nearly-nude in her apartment.
Miss Una. V. Ponder, 26, died in Louisville General hospital a few hours after she was found by her sister and three brothers. They entered the locked apartment through a window.
Hospital attendants said the woman's body was covered from head to feet with burns, bruises and lacerations. Her death was attributed by police to a brain injury.
Miami News (Miami, Florida), 13 Sep 1947. Saturday.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5976327/una-versa-ponder
2. William Henry Ponder was born on 15 Sep 1881 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky (son of Francis Marion Ponder and Susan Perlina Brummett); died on 1 Oct 1966 in Berea, Madison County, Kentucky; was buried in Red Hill Community Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Other Events:
- Census: 1910, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky
- Census: 1920, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky
- Census: 1930, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky
- Census: 1950, Rockcastle County, Kentucky
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6958077/william-henry-ponderWilliam married Flora Belle Carpenter on 10 Mar 1910 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Flora was born on 29 May 1880 in Jackson County, Kentucky; died on 30 Jan 1941 in London, Laurel County, Kentucky; was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
3. Flora Belle Carpenter was born on 29 May 1880 in Jackson County, Kentucky; died on 30 Jan 1941 in London, Laurel County, Kentucky; was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5976326/flora-belle-ponderChildren:
- 1. Una Versa Ponder was born on 16 Mar 1911 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 12 Sep 1947 in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky; was buried on 14 Sep 1937 in Elmwood Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
- Keith Cameron Ponder was born on 17 Apr 1913 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 22 Aug 1961 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio; was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
- Clayton Brooks Ponder was born on 7 Sep 1914 in Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 20 Sep 2004 in Brodhead, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
- Ana Fern Ponder was born on 19 Aug 1916 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 1 Dec 2008 in Florence, Boone County, Kentucky; was buried in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Taylor Mill, Kenton County, Kentucky.
- Lyman Theodore Ponder was born on 3 Mar 1918 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 6 Nov 1961 in Georgetown, Scott County, Kentucky; was buried on 8 Nov 1961 in Elmwood Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
- Truman Lyndon Ponder was born on 11 Dec 1919 in Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 9 Aug 2001 in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio; was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio.
- William Wright Ponder was born on 9 Apr 1921 in Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 16 Jan 1988 in Independence, Kenton County, Kentucky; was buried in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Taylor Mill, Kenton County, Kentucky.
- Cline Anderson Ponder was born on 5 Aug 1922 in Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 3 Oct 1970 in Kenton County, Kentucky; was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
- Aubert Brown Ponder was born on 1 Sep 1924 in Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 18 May 1983 in Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky; was buried in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Taylor Mill, Kenton County, Kentucky.
Generation: 3
4. Francis Marion Ponder was born on 13 Jan 1856 in Clay County, Kentucky; died on 22 Oct 1939 in Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; was buried on 23 Oct 1939 in Red Hill Community Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Other Events:
- Census: 1900, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky
- Census: 1910, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6956101/francis-marion-ponderFrancis married Susan Perlina Brummett on 27 Nov 1880 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Susan (daughter of William Brummett and Cynthia Phipps) was born on 10 Apr 1860 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 22 Nov 1957 in Ottawa, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; was buried in Red Hill Community Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
5. Susan Perlina Brummett was born on 10 Apr 1860 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky (daughter of William Brummett and Cynthia Phipps); died on 22 Nov 1957 in Ottawa, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; was buried in Red Hill Community Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Notes:
Mrs. Susan Ponder Dies At Ottawa
Mrs. Susan Paulina Ponder, age 97, of Livingston died Nov. 27 at the home of a granddaughter, Mrs. Bernice Martin, Ottawa. She also made her home with a son, Ben Ponder, Livingston.
Mrs. Ponder, a native of Maulden, Jackson, County, was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Brummett. She moved with her family to Livingston while a young girl. Her husband, who she married at the age of 20, Mr. F.M. Ponder Sr., died in 1939.
She was one of 27 persons to organize the Union Baptist Church and was the last living charter member.
She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Winnie Kelly, Hamilton, Ohio; three sons, W.H. Ponder, Livingston; Dan J. Ponder, Livingston, 28 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday at the Union Baptist Church with the Revs. Murphy and H.L. Ponder officiating.
Burial was at the Family Cemetery, Red Hill, Rockcastle County.
Grandsons served as pallbearers and granddaughters were flower girls.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Howard Funeral Home.
Interior Journal, Stanford, Kentucky. Friday, 6 December 1957.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6956100/susan-perlina-ponderChildren:
- 2. William Henry Ponder was born on 15 Sep 1881 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 1 Oct 1966 in Berea, Madison County, Kentucky; was buried in Red Hill Community Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
- Winnie Adeline Ponder was born on 16 Apr 1884 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 23 May 1963 in Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; was buried on 26 May 1963 in Red Hill Community Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
- Daniel Minitree Ponder was born on 5 Jan 1886 in Kentucky; died on 26 May 1962 in Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; was buried on 29 May 1962 in Elmwood Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
- Cintha Rachael Ponder was born on 19 Feb 1888 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 27 Jan 1890 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky; was buried in Red Hill Community Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
- Benjamin Jacob Ponder was born on 30 Dec 1889 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 14 Nov 1965 in Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; was buried on 16 Nov 1965 in Red Hill Community Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
Generation: 4
10. William Brummett was born on 5 Feb 1833 in Owsley County, Kentucky; died on 22 Oct 1920 in Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; was buried on 23 Oct 1920 in Bales Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Other Events:
- Census: 1860, Jackson County, Kentucky
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6970641/william-brummettWilliam married Cynthia Phipps on 1 Mar 1855 in Clay County, Kentucky. Cynthia (daughter of Samuel Phipps and Mary Hash) was born on 18 Apr 1836 in Virginia; died on 27 May 1907; was buried in Bales Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
11. Cynthia Phipps was born on 18 Apr 1836 in Virginia (daughter of Samuel Phipps and Mary Hash); died on 27 May 1907; was buried in Bales Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6970642/cynthia-a-brummettChildren:
- Benjamin Brummett was born on 21 Jan 1856 in Kentucky; died on 16 Jul 1911 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky; was buried on 18 Jul 1911 in Bales Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
- Samuel Brummett was born in 1857 in Kentucky.
- Almeda Jane Brummett was born on 8 Oct 1857 in Jackson County, Kentucky; died on 3 Dec 1944 in Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; was buried on 4 Dec 1944 in Jepp Mullins Cemetery, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
- 5. Susan Perlina Brummett was born on 10 Apr 1860 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 22 Nov 1957 in Ottawa, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; was buried in Red Hill Community Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
- William Joseph Brummett was born on 31 Aug 1862 in Kentucky; died on 1 Jan 1940 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana; was buried in Pythian Ridge Cemetery, Sturgis, Union County, Kentucky.
- William Minnetree "M.T." Brummett was born on 30 Aug 1862 in Owsley County, Kentucky; died on 22 Jan 1946 in Laurel County, Kentucky; was buried on 24 Jan 1946 in Pine Hill Cemetery, Corbin, Knox County, Kentucky.
- James Henry Brummett was born in Oct 1863 in Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky; died on 19 Feb 1944 in Letcher County, Kentucky; was buried in Bales Cemetery, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky.