Pondexter "Ponnie" Artis, 65, of Coatesville, formerly of Silver Spring, Maryland passed away April 23, 2014 at the Brandywine Hospital. He was the son of the late Jesse G. and Lalia J. Ward-Artis.

He received his education in the Coatesville area public schools attending the historic James Adams School and having graduated from S. Horace Scott High School in 1967.  Shortly after graduation, Ponnie enlisted in the United States Army in October 1967.

He was employed at the Sonoco paper company in Downingtown and worked for the Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue Law Firm in Washington, D.C. until he retired in 1998.

His is survived by daughter, Nicole Ware of Clinton, Maryland; five brothers, Joseph Artis of Philadelphia, Leslie (Emma) Artis of Dumfries, Va., Ronald Artis of Richmond, Virginia, Douglas (Henrietta) Artis and Chester Artis, both of Coatesville, Pa.; two sisters, Rosalee Peterkin of Wilson and Saundra (John) Howard of Downingtown. He was preceded in death by one son Brian Lee Brown, one sister Nina Brown and two brothers, Jesse Artis II, and Gene Artis.

Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Coatesville Veterans Administration All Saints Chapel, 1400 Blackhorse Hill Road in Coatesville. Interment with Military Honors will be held 11:30 am Monday, May 5, 2014 at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA.