Mildred Virginia (Herndon) Snead

Mildred Virginia (Herndon) Snead, 92, of Jefferson City, died Friday, May 6, 2011 at St. Joseph's Bluffs Care Center in Jefferson City. She was born February 19, 1919, near Jamestown, to Edmund Frank and Tracy Ranz (Putnam) Herndon, the oldest of five children. Mildred graduated from Bethel School near Jamestown at age 12 and went to Columbia to live with her grandmother, Mary Putnam, while attending Hickman High School. She graduated from Hickman in 1935 and from the Orten-Rice School of Business in Columbia. She met Grover Woodrow Snead while in college and they were married on December 3, 1940, in Fulton. They had been married for more than 67 years when he died on March 18, 2008. She began college work at the University of Missouri prior to her marriage and continued her education in 1969 at Lincoln University where she graduated summa cum laude in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She was a member of the Kappa Omicron Phi, an honorary organization for home economists. Mildred was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 60 years, serving in several offices including Worthy Matron, District Grand Deputy and as a statewide officer. Born into several of the original pioneering families in northern Moniteau County, Mildred retained a vast knowledge about the area and a love for the history of the people who lived there. She was a lifetime member of the Moniteau County Historical Society and was awarded the society's Manitou Award for service. Mildred and Grover loved to travel. Together they visited all 50 states and many countries including trips to Europe, Russia and the Holy Lands. Being active in Girl Scouts with her daughters gave her a life-long love of camping and an enjoyment of being in the outdoors. She and Grover made many camping trips with their granddaughter, Micaela, while she was growing up. Mildred was an excellent seamstress, needle worker and cook. She is remembered by many for her homemade breads and gooseberry pies. She could create a beautiful garden and she especially loved native flowers and grasses. She supported her children and grandchildren in school and family-oriented activities. She leaves a rich legacy of love and support for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her strong friendships and support for her community and church will be long remembered by all who knew her. Mildred became a Christian at an early age and was active in Baptist churches all her life. She taught Sunday School for most of her adult life as well as serving as Church Media director in several churches for more than 40 years. At the time of her death, she was a member of First Baptist Church. She is survived by two daughters, Virginia (Michael) Brizendine of Delaware, Ohio, and Theresa (Phillip) Maxwell of Kirkwood; three grandchildren, Micaela (Scott) Haymaker of Jefferson City and Alek and Parker Maxwell of Kirkwood; and two great-grandchildren, Cody and Hailey Haymaker. Also surviving are two sisters, Pauline Steiner of California and Hazel Seward of Yucca Valley, Calif. Also preceding her in death were her parents; a brother, Roy Edmund Herndon; and a sister, Helen Ruth Smith. Services will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services in California. Officiating will be Rev. Greg Morrow. Burial will be in California Masonic Cemetery. Visitation will also be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests contributions to the Moniteau County Historical Society or the Heisinger Benevolent Care Fund, c/o Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, 100 S. Oak, California, MO 65018. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California.