Mrs. Doris Murleen Bell Ponder, age 73, of Dalton, Georgia, departed this life Monday morning, December 1, 2014 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Doris was born September 15, 1941 in Hampton, Tennessee, a daughter of the late Ralph and Louise Stafford Bell. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Beatrice Gibson.

Doris was a very caring person. She loved cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Her life was lived for her family.

Doris is survived by husband of fifty-six years, Dillon H. Ponder of the residence; daughters and sons-in-law, Vickie and Roger Stanley, Linda and David Elsworth, Kim and Jamie Howard all of Dalton, GA, Barbara and Rick Hasty of Rocky Face, GA; sons and daughters-in-law, Ronnie Lee and Robin Ponder of Crandall, GA, James Wallace and Rhonda Ponder, Dewayne Ponder all of Dalton, GA, and Dillon and Angie Ponder, Jr. of Mineral Bluff, GA; sisters and brother-in-law, Inez and Leon Gibson, Dianne and Randy Sanders; brothers, Wendell Bell and Ricky Bell; sisters-in-law, Marlee Lumpkin and Gladys Vick all of Dalton, GA; eighteen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, several nieces and nephews.

Services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Doris M. Bell Ponder will be held Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at Ponders Melrose Chapel with Reverend Grady Bartley officiating. She will be laid to rest at the Varnell Cemetery with Michael Outlaw, Matt Hensley, Keith Ponder, Jeremy Ponder, Trey Hasty, Tony Lavain and Preston Howard serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday and after 1:00 p.m. Wednesday until the service hour.

Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, GA, 30721. 706.226. 4002