Ponda Bright Rodrigue

Ponda Bright-Rodrigue, age 78, peacefully passed away with her loved ones by her side on January 21, 2025, in San Angelo, Texas. She was born on November 6, 1946, in Amarillo, Texas, to Sam and Birdie Bell Bright.

Ponda is preceded in death by her parents and her sister-in-law, Patricia Bright. She is survived by her brother and best friend, Tom Bright of San Angelo, Texas; her two sons, John Rodrigue and wife Heather of Wewoka, Oklahoma, and Carl Rodrigue and wife Deesa of Fife, Texas; her four grandchildren, Levi, Gavin, Taylor, and Colton and partner Morgan; and her three great-grandchildren, Cooper, Sophia, and Bryden. She also leaves behind five nieces and nephews: Carrie Ledet and her son Luke; Leigh Paille and her sons Jarett and Clayton; Randye Dunlap and partner Scott, along with her son Trey; Jason Bright and wife Amanda, with their three children Lily, Tommy, and Travis; and Stephen Bright and wife AnaLisa, with their two children Jeremiah and Cameron. Ponda was also blessed with many friends whom she loved dearly.

Ponda grew up in San Angelo, Texas, and graduated from Central High School. She attended Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, and graduated from Angelo State University in 1998, earning membership in the International Honor Society in Social Science, Pi Gamma Mu, and a Bachelor of Arts degree. She devoted her career to helping others who were often unable to help themselves, working with MHMR, Adult Protective Services, and lastly as a case worker at the State Hospital in San Angelo, Texas, until her retirement in 2020.

She was an active member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary and Open Door Family Fellowship.

Ponda was a ray of sunshine whose warmth and kindness touched everyone who knew her. She cherished spending time with family and friends, adored her cats, and found joy in reading, making jewelry, playing on her iPad, shopping, watching feel-good movies, and sharing moments of laughter.

A memorial service for Mrs. Rodrigue will be held at Harper Funeral Home at 2:00 PM,  on Saturday, February 15, 2025.