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DAISY PEARL SMITH-PONIUS

August 19, 1952 - October 31, 2025

Text:

Obituary For DAISY PEARL SMITH-PONIUS

SERVICE

Friday, November 7, 2025

11:00 AM

St. John Baptist Church

Pastor JaVoski Ervin

Eulogist Elder Herbert J. Reid III

VIEWING

Prior to service

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

BURIAL

Monday November 10, 2025

2:00 PM

Ft. Sill National Cemetery

Elgin, OK

Daisy Pearl Smith Ponius peacefully departed this world on October 31, 2025, at the age of 73. She was born on August 19, 1952, in Wichita Falls, Texas. She exemplified love, laughter, and selflessness to all who had the privilege of knowing her. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth and generosity that will forever be cherished by her family and friends. She was a loving wife, mother, grandma/mawmaw, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, cousin and friend.

Daisy was the beloved daughter of the late Roxie Connor Smith and Cleo Smith Sr. Growing up, she was a member of Antioch Baptist Church and later united with St. John Baptist Church. She attended Booker T. Washington before transferring to and graduating from Rider High School in 1970.

On January 3, 1978, Daisy married her love, John Robert Ponius, in Wichita Falls, Texas, celebrating their union on John's birthday. Their marriage spanned 47 years, filled with love, laughter, and countless memories created together.

She was employed with WFISD as a teacher’s aide, the North Texas State Hospital and Texhoma Christian Care Center. She participated actively in her community by initiating the East Lynwood Community Garage Sale.

Daisy enjoyed life’s simple pleasures, which included staying up to date on the latest city and world news, playing bingo, cards, dominoes, singing, dancing (especially doing the bump and the floss) and watching shows like wrestling, Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud. She reveled in the joy of family gatherings, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas. These cherished moments spent with family will always be remembered as a reflection of her love and her passion for creating lasting memories.

Daisy was known for her sense of humor, and boundless generosity. Her living room, kitchen cabinet, refrigerator, candy bowl, bed, and bedroom recliner were basically the VIP lounge of their house--the hottest spots for conversation and snacks! She was playful, funny, generous, but most of all, loveable and she created an atmosphere where family felt welcomed and loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roxie Connor Smith and Cleo Smith Sr.; brothers, Leo Smith and Cleo Smith Jr. and niece, Marquetta Hubbard.

Daisy was the proud matriarch of a large and loving family. She is survived by husband, John Ponius; children, Adriane Austin and LaToya Ponius; grandchildren, Phillip Austin, Emery McCallon and Daejon McCallon; great-granddaughter, Jaylani Austin; siblings, Ruby Lindsay, Tommie Reid, Margaret Jones, Earnestine Brooks (George Brooks Sr.); nieces and nephews Yvoncil Jones (Dwight Jones), Tonya Harvey, Herbert Reid III (Tasha), LeGwenda Potter (Aundry), Michael Jones (Stephanie), Dano Smith, Traci Murray (Antionne II), Eplunus Colvin (Paul), George Brooks, and Shayla Green (William); and her eldest great-niece, Chantae Peterson who was known as her big baby.

Sisters and brothers-in-law include Gwen Smith; Charles Jones; Percy (Elvina) Ponius, Emma (Johnny) Greene, Edward Ponius; Will (Glenda) Ponius, Lorenzo Ponius, Gloria (Samuel) Duff, Jimmy Ponius and Essie Ponius, as well as a host of great nieces, great and great-great nephews, beloved pets Champ and Scooby, best friend Janice Hall Smith and other relatives and friends who cherished her.

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Tributes

  • Red and White Handled Basket

    Jimmy Ponius sent Red and White Handled Basket for DAISY PEARL SMITH - January 01, 1970

    My deepest condolences with the loss of your of your beloved wife

Condolences

  • November 10, 2025

    Adriane Austin

    Mama, This has been the hardest thing I have gone through. I miss you so much. I will continue to make you proud. Oh how I wish I could give you one more hug. Until we see each other again Love you always and forever, Your daughter Adriane

  • November 08, 2025

    Helen Sherman Dillard

    To the family of friend and classmate -- Daisy Smith, especially Earnestine, the late Rev. Leo and Margaret (friend), the classmates of Helen, Sherman Dillard, the late Thompsine Sherman Newman and Choica Sherman Bradley offer our sincere condolences. We recognize the family chain has been broken. Nonetheless, the warmth of family love and togetherness remains. May God's strength support each member of Daisy's family in love of pleasant memories shared over the years.

  • November 08, 2025

    Helen Sherman Dillard

    To the family of Daisy Pearl Smith, we knew of many years ago, especially to Margaret, Earnestine and the late, Rev. Leo Smith, the Sherman family of Helen, the late Thompsine and Choica offer our deepest condolences, warmth and love to the entire Smith family. As classmates and friends during our years at the Booker T. Washington Senior High School, we recognize the family chain has been broken once again. Nonetheless, the warm memories of classmates and family togetherness remains. Our sincere condolences to the Smith family we knew and have known for many years remain in spiritual love. May the sweet memories of Daisy continue to flow with her family, classmates and friends in peaceful memory.

  • November 07, 2025

    Donna Graves

    Daisy Pearl is a classmate always had a smile and kind words to others, she could be spicy as she, myself and Charlotte were friends. Rest in Peace Class 🙏

  • November 06, 2025

    Berlinda Stallings Hood

    The Sumter County High School Class of 1973, extend our deepest sympathy to our classmate, John Robert Ponius and his family. We pray GOD give you strength and comfort during this time, and the days ahead. We will keep you and your family lifted up in prayer because we know even though we can't be with at this time, our prayers can. Love and Blessings.❤️🙏🏾❤️

  • November 04, 2025

    Mary Jordan Johnson

    To the family so sorry for your loss.Daisy will be missed.Her smile would light up a room so full of joy to be around.

  • November 04, 2025

    Brent MCcallon

    I will truly miss her for personal reasons. She was once my Mother-in -Law and she treated me with such respect when she first met me! I remember the very first thing she told me when she saw me, she said " You better treat my daughter right " well I tried my best and I pray she saw my heart and she knew that I loved her and I loved that family. I'm going to miss those Thanksgiving meals, especially her Greens!!! Everytime her two favorite songs come in I will think about her, The Temptations " This Christmas " and The Commodores " Jesus is Love " I'm gone miss that lil pink room, that small bath robe she used to wear and most importantly I'm gone miss seeing her face while driving around that corner and her and her husband sitting on that porch together ❤️ Yours truly Brent

  • November 03, 2025

    Tanisha Harvey

    To my loving family I will miss my Aunt Daisy so very much, hearing her laughs when you came over her house, she'd say here come Tanisha my niecey Pooh. I will miss the phone calls to check up on me and her great niece. My Aunty the reason I drink Dr. pepper (her favorite soda) and love playing Bingo. I never would've thought talking to you last time we spoke would be the last, but I will always remember the thing you said was I love you and kiss Taniah for me. I'll give her 1000 kisses for you. Rest up Aunty we love you 😘

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