Henry Lee Christian, III

Obituary Body – Henry Lee Christian III

Mr. Henry Lee “Ponchie” Christian III was born in Russellville, AL on December 7, 1981 to Mrs. Vera Randolph Bonds and the late Mr. Henry Lee “Buddy” Christian Jr.  On March 3, 2026, Ponchie transitioned to his heavenly home at Burns Nursing & Rehab in Russellville, AL following a long battle of conquering a brain cancer diagnosis from July 2021.  He is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, Mr. Willie Lee Abernathy and Mrs. Mary Kate Abernathy and Mr. Henry Lee Christian Sr. and Mrs. Harriett Josephine Christian.

Ponchie confessed Christ at an early age where he was a member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Russellville, AL.  He also attended church services at First Baptist Church, College Ave, Russellville, AL and Free Spirit Church, Florence, AL.  Ponchie attended Russellville High School in Russellville, AL and received several letters and offers to play football at out of state colleges.  Ponchie was always very athletic and shared his love for football with his Dad.  He and his Dad wore the same #34 and he had the privilege of being coached under his Dad through the Pee-Wee Football Association.

Ponchie was also very passionate about skateboarding and was an avid skateboarder for many years throughout his life.  Ponchie loved food and was a pretty good cook and could make a meal out of anything.  He was many things, but he was never hungry.  His Aunt Brenda shared a story from when he was a toddler mentioning that he was always in the refrigerator and would wake up in the middle of the night to get him some food or bread.  One morning, they couldn’t find him and followed a trail from the kitchen.  His grandma Mary started leaving a loaf of bread on the table to where he could reach it and pull it down.  Well, they kept looking and found Ponchie between the washer and dryer asleep with a loaf of bread where he’d eaten about seven pieces out of it. 

Ponchie wasn’t shy to trouble either.  He was mischievous and curious about things.  He could tear something a part and put it back together in minutes.  Ponchie was fun and silly and could keep you laughing too.  That same laughter got he and his cousin, Robert Jones the whipping of a lifetime from their grandfather, Willie Lee when they were pre-teens. From Robert’s account, they were supposed to have been asleep, but kept on laughing and talking and apparently not listening. 

To validate this story, I (his sister, Sheikia Christian) can confirm 100% that this happened.  From my account, Ponchie and Robert thought our granddaddy was playing, and he really wasn’t.  On this particular night, we were all sleeping in the same room which was adjacent to our grandparents’ room.  Ponchie and Robert were on one bed, and I was in the bed beside them. 

I am going to put a disclaimer here because I was laughing some too, but I never got any whippings.   Ponchie and Robert kept on until we could hear our granddaddy getting out of the bed.  They tried to roll up in the covers when they heard him coming, but it only took one pull and as Robert put it, they flew out like cartoon characters falling out the sky and he tore their tails up.  I was peeping from under the cover and could see Robert being swung around my head like a helicopter, no lie.  I’m wondering now if that made me an introvert, because I mind my business and pay attention, whereas Ponchie was always loud and super, super extroverted and knew everyone.  To God be the glory, Ponchie and Robert lived to see another day after that debacle, and we have laughed about this story many, many times. 

Football, fun and now fashion. Ponchie was stylish and stayed fly.  I called him “Vera Jr.” after our Mom, because they both had a fashion plug.  A shoe plug, accessories, outfits, you name it, I’m sure they had a tab with someone somewhere.  As you’ve read, this hasn’t been your typical tribute, and I hope you have been able to laugh and remember fun moments about Ponchie too.  May you all enjoy moments like these with your loved ones as well.

Ponchie was a loving father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend.  He leaves to cherish his memories two sons, Darius Nathaniel Ray Christian of Russellville, AL and Jayvon James Huit Hamblen of Phil Campbell, AL; a beloved mother, Mrs. Vera Randolph Bonds, a loving step-mother, Ruby Eva Elaine Christian; two sisters, Sheikia Christian of Muscle Shoals, AL and Constance Bonds McCullough (Joshua) of Sheffield, AL; two brothers to infinity and beyond, A.J. Ledlow and Charles Bonds of Russellville, AL; a very special friend, Haley Clark of Russellville, AL;  special cousins, Robert Jones of Muscle Shoals, AL, and Troy Darby and DeMorian Abernathy of Russellville, AL as well as a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Ponchie had a very jovial and joyous spirit and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

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