Glinna P. Fretwell
Glinna Ponder Fretwell was called home on Monday, November 21st when her spirit was returned to the loving arms of Jesus. There we know she was greeted and is celebrating with her husband William Dale, her parents, Roy Wade Ponder and Evelyn Ball Ponder, her son, Mark Alan, her sisters Pearl, Polly, and Dot, her brothers Roy, JN, and Bobby, and the many friends and family that preceded her.
Glinna grew up in the mountains of North Carolina where she shared farm chores with her siblings and cherished time in the kitchen with her mother. Farm life taught her to be hard working, resourceful, and grateful – all of which she carried with her throughout her lifetime. She was a devoted elementary school teacher for 34 years and had a passion for teaching young children how to read and write. Retirement was spent traveling with her beloved husband, tutoring neighborhood children, volunteering wherever there was a need, studying scripture, reading, and socializing with friends and family.
Glinna will always be remembered for her smile, generosity, selflessness, and kindness. She was most happy in the kitchen baking cookies or preparing a big meal for holidays and happy occasions. When not in the kitchen she could be found enjoying her birds or tending her beautiful flowers and plants. Her strength and grace in handling difficult situations have been, and will continue to be, an inspiration to her children: Michael and wife Belinda of Stevensville, MD; Tim and wife Tania of Roanoke, VA; and Virginia and husband Jim of Columbus, OH. Her faith and devotion to God led her through this life and is what provided the foundation for her children’s’ faith. In addition to modeling strength and perseverance through Christ for her children, she was the quintessential grandmother to her four grandchildren: Brooke (husband Jeremy), Josh, Owen, and Emmett – all of whom she was very proud of and loved unconditionally.
Please join Glinna’s family in celebrating her life and saying a final goodbye this Saturday, November 26th at Lotz Funeral Home, 1330 East Main Street, Salem, VA. Visitation will be 1pm–2pm and a memorial service from 2pm-3pm. Glinna would want you to be comfortable, so, dress is casual. A small graveside service will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers and to honor Glinna’s love for children and the countless hours she spent reading to her students, children, and grandchildren, please consider donating to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a book gifting program that provides books to children all over the world. Donations can be made in memory of Glinna directly via the website (https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com/).
