Ernest Lavell "Vell" Ponds of Rockford departed this earthly life March 3, 2023. He was born March 26, 1967 in Rockford the son of Carl E. and Rosamary Ponds. Ernest was employed as the co-owner and manager of Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc., where he has served over 35 years. He was a member of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, formerly serving as a trustee. Ernest  coached baseball for many years for Northwest Community Center Team and Ponds Baseball Team out at Roygale. He was also a football coach for Northwest Community Center many years, where he served on the Board. Ernest graduated from Auburn High School class of 1986, later to receive his CDL License from Diesel Truck Driving School in Sun Prairie, WI.

Ernest leaves to cherish many fun and loving memories, two brothers, James (Tracy) Rainey, Jr; and Steven (Cheryl) Rainey; four sisters, Patricia Burdette, Carla Nabors, Danita (Wendell) Stanford and Karen "Pooloo" (Elzer) Brown; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles other relatives and friends including his special nephews, Timothy (Aundrea) Nabors and Alonzo (Jamie) Ponds; god brothers, Patt Betts Jr. and Prince White; special children who he raised and loved as if they were his own; Terrick, Ashley and Jordan; special friends, Tina Robinson, Louis (Sheila) Watkins and Edward Baldwin.

He was predeceased by his parents, Carl and Rosamary; and good friends Ben Tennin Jr. and Robert Stanley.

Services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2023 at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church 2919 19th Street. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Friday, March 10, 2023 at Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc. 200 N. Johnston Ave. 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. come to celebrate