Judith "Judy" Anne Mathis, 64, of Roanoke, Texas, and longtime resident of Sterling, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, in Roanoke. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at First English Lutheran Church with the Rev. Andrew Dimit officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery.
Judy was born July 7, 1944, to Bernard "Beans" Glenn Mathis and Velma Josephine Mathis, in Dodgeville, Wis. After her father was discharged from the U.S. Army, they settled in Sterling, where her brother, Bernard D. Mathis, was born. She graduated from Sterling High School in 1962. After graduating, she attended Northeastern Junior College for a year while working at Logan County Hospital.
On Aug. 24, 1959, at the Logan County Fair, a friend introduced Judy to Samuel "Sam" Clarence Snyder from Otis. They didn't start dating until 1961, and then only because Sam was persistent. Judy had so many suitors he had to schedule a date three weeks in advance. Sam will tell you that he knew she was the one by the end of the first date.
Sam and Judy were married Oct. 5, 1963, at First English Lutheran Church in Sterling. After the ceremony, they lived in Fort Bragg, N.C., while Sam served in the U.S. Army. While in Fort Bragg, their daughter, Corinne Gwen Snyder, was born. Judy loved to tell stories about how Gwen would roll all over the trailer they lived in. After Sam was discharged from the Army, they moved back to Sterling, where their son, Samuel C. Snyder II, was born.
While in Sterling, Judy enjoyed being a seamstress and made most of her family's clothes until finances required her to go to work. She worked various jobs in Sterling, working at Ben Franklin, First National Bank and Sterling Beef Company.
In 1989, Judy and Sam moved to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, to be near their kids. They finally settled in Roanoke in 1991. While in DFW, Judy worked for Braniff Airlines, NEC America, PrimeCo and Chrysler before retiring.
Judy was a wonderful cook, a great dancer and an artist. She especially enjoyed coloring with her grandson, Joseph Michael Snyder, who cherished his special time with Grandma. She had a special gift for making everyone feel good about themselves. Friends and family would come to her for advice and guidance and trusted her with confidence. Her core family was small, but the group that considered her family was large. Friends will tell you that no matter how busy she was, she would always make time. Another special characteristic is that she giggled with almost every sentence, uplifting the spirits of those around her.
She is survived by her husband, Sam Snyder; daughter, Gwen Snyder of Roanoke; son, Sam Snyder II of Providence Village, Texas; grandson, Joseph Snyder of Roanoke; brother and family, Bernie and Melverie Mathis, Jaci Mathis, Stephanie Wright and family, all of Sterling; brothers-in-law and family, Sterling and Jackie Snyder of Loveland and Elvin and Connie Snyder; sister-in-law and family, Glenda and Steve Flipse; honorary daughter, Michelle Hart of Denver; and many other surviving nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
She will be missed and loved eternally.