Jo Ellen Ponder Guffey

Jo Ellen Guffey, 79, passed away at her home in Houston on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born on June 30, 1932 to Homer and Pearl Ponder in Chatham, Louisiana. Jo was a talented artist and calligrapher, accomplished in all mediums of art. She has served as a past president of the Houston Calligraphy Guild and Houston Art Society. She was a longtime member of St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church and a Houston area line dance teacher. In addition to her love of art, Jo will best be remembered by her love of family and her positive attitude. Her motto was “You’ve just gotta’ keep smiling”. She had a spirit for life and nourished people around her with her love, faith, and talent. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Horace Holly Guffey, her parents, and sister, Beatrice Ayres. She is survived by her daughter, Gwen Hunt and husband, Jack, daughter Krystal Kelly and husband, Will, grandchildren 1st Lt. Joshua Hunt, USMC and wife, Lori, Jeremy Hunt, Joseph Hunt, Kaitlyn Kelly, Brendan Kelly, and great-granddaughter, Chloe Hunt. She also leaves siblings Louise Bott-Tolar, Mabel Adams, Evelyn Jordan and husband, Jim, Homer “Buddy” Ponder and wife, June, Edsel Ponder and wife, Carolyn, Bill Ponder and wife, Nancy, Velda Owens, and Benola Robinson and husband, Jerry as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, Sunday, October 30 at Pat H. Foley Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon, Monday, October 31 at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 2003 West 43rd Street. Interment will follow at Brookside Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to either St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, Houston Calligraphy Guild, or Houston Art Society.