May 19, 2013
Ocala, Fl. -- Florida's oldest resident has died. Onie Ponder of Ocala was 112 years old.
Carswell Ponder says his mother died Friday morning at an Ocala hospice after a brief bout with pneumonia.
According to the Gerontology Research Group, Onie Ponder had been the oldest person in Florida and one of the 25 oldest people in the world. She was born Sept. 3, 1898, in Ocala.
She was asked about her secret for longevity at her birthday party in September. Ponder told the Ocala Star-Banner: "The good Lord had something to do with it. He treats me pretty well."
Her son says Ponder had stayed active all her life. He says she liked to read and listened to books on tape after her eyesight deteriorated when she turned 100.
Ponder is survived by her two sons.
