Daphne Pixley Pond peacefully departed this life on December 17, 2022 surrounded by many members of her loving family. She was born in Nottoway County, Virginia on July 16, 1925, the eldest daughter of Walter and Lillie Pixley.
Daphne graduated from Crewe (Va. ) High School in 1941. She was employed at Camp Pickett during World War II. She married John D. Pond on February 22, 1946, a marriage which lasted 65 years until John’s death in 2011. The couple resided in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, Franklin, Virginia and moved to Front Royal with their three children in 1958.
Daphne was a loyal and faithful member of Front Royal United Methodist Church. She was a former board member of the local chapter of the American Red Cross, and during her lifetime donated more than 26 gallons of blood. She was an enthusiastic gardener, was a member of several bridge clubs and continued to play bridge until the last several years of her life. She was an avid sports fans, especially supporting the Front Royal Cardinals, the Washington Nationals, and the Hampden-Sydney Tigers. She loved attending the sporting events of those teams and never missed a ball game in which her “Grands” played for as long as her health allowed.
Daphne was employed by the Town of Front Royal, working in the Business Office and in the Electric Department for 33 years. She was a kind and giving person, and after her retirement from the town enjoyed serving as an unofficial good will ambassador with the morning coffee crew at the By-Pass Exxon.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by two sisters and a brother. Surviving are her son, J. Daniel Pond II and his wife, Laura A. Gilliam, of Front Royal, her son Charles W. Pond and his wife Connie H. Pond, of Front Royal, and her daughter, Jeanne P. Davison and her husband, James P. Davison, of Winchester; five grandchildren: J. Daniel Pond III, Laura P. Brugh, Elliott H. Davison, Andrew P. Davison and Heather P. Dick; eleven great grandchildren, one brother, Elmer Pixley, many nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom she loved deeply and many friends for whom she was extremely thankful.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Front Royal United Methodist Church conducted by The Rev. Rachel Plemmons. Inurnment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Front Royal United Methodist Church General Fund, 1 West Main St., Front Royal, VA 22630
Mrs. Ponds use to greet my husband and me each morning at the Exxon for years. We looked forward to seeing her to share a quick conversation and feel the warmth of her smile. A beautiful women!! God bless her soul and may she Rest In Peace.
Annie and Bill Curtis
We had so much fun every morning with her and the others in the Coffee Club, she even went with all of us to the Handymart Spring Fling. She will be deeply missed
Ms. Daphne was a bright and sweet spot to encounter! I cherished our early morning Handi-Mart/Exxon gas pump chats when I’d be filling up at the end of a shift with FRPD. There was always something constructive to discuss, some world problem for us to fix. Ms. Daphne seemed to have the situation already figured out! I tried to talk her into running for mayor, but she’d have none of that. I’ll never forget her in her blue Mustang. She made life lighter for so many!
Aunt Daphne, what a wonderful person. She had so much personality, and we so enjoyed her visits to our home to visit my mother (Betty Jo Pixley Story). The two of them were extremely close and would laugh and giggle when together like two school girls. I know they loved each other so much.
We love you and know that you are with your family. I am sure you are all laughing and smiling, that is always what I will remember from my childhood to present.
Love you Aunt Daphne !