Gloria M Snead

On October 2, 2022, our cherished mother Gloria Mae Snead entered God’s Kingdom, she passed away peacefully surrounded by her daughters. Our mother was one of the strongest, courageous, and selfless women to ever walk this earth, her nurturing beautiful spirit blessed many friends and family throughout her life.

Gloria was the first born of ten children to Charles A. and Nellie Mae (Gaines) Hazley on May 30, 1938, in Kansas City, Missouri. When Gloria was younger, she loved going to the nickel movies with her brothers and visiting loving family in Chicago. Gloria as a young child dreamt of one day pursuing a career in acting along with celebrating her love and passion for literature, poetry, and jazz. She learned how to ‘scat’ and recited poetry for several church programs. In 1956, Gloria graduated from Lincoln High School in Kansas City; her interest in business led her to Kansas City Community College where she earned an Associate Degree of Business.

Gloria selflessly gained employment to help raise and support her nine younger siblings along with her mother after experiencing the sudden death of their father just before graduating high school. She continued in life to be a ‘big sis’ and a role model to her siblings who affectionately called her, “Ya Ya” and later recognized as the matriarch of the family. Gloria was an active member of the Lady Day Social Club which allowed an opportunity to do community service projects and host dances. Gloria started her professional career life with AT&T and eventually a long-term career with the Kansas City Missouri School District for over twenty-seven years as administrative support in three district high schools: Southwest, Central and Westport Senior.

In 1963, Gloria married Wayman M. Snead, her lifelong partner for fifty-two years until his passing. Gloria and Wayman went on to have three daughters, Donna, Pamela, and Patrice who she helped raise to be Christ-centered women equipped to know how to seek God first and do their best in life. She served as PTA president, a girl scout cookie mom, a chef, a boo-boo fixer, a disciplinarian, a counselor, and most importantly she was a confidant and friend to her three daughters. Gloria’s granddaughters Sydnee and Micaela were her pride and joy, she supported all their extracurricular activities from concert performances to Grandparent’s Day at school; blessed to see both achieve their master’s degrees. Nana traveled by bus, plane, and car to different states to love on her granddaughters.

She loved being “Nana,” often ending visits saying back and forth, “a bushel and peck, and a hug around your neck.” Gloria looked forward to going on other yearly trips with her family, whether it was to the Bahamas, Hawaii or he most magical place on earth, Disney World. She considered Nevada a second home with frequent visits to see her youngest daughter, Patrice. At home, Gloria enjoyed taking care of her fur baby, Buddy, a miniature dachshund rescued from a local shelter that provided her much comfort through the years.

Gloria was a loyal servant to God and community. She had a joyful and insatiable heart to help others. She contributed her time and energy to numerous charities, food shelters and volunteer organizations. Gloria loved the church faithfully and diligently. She made it her mission to share the love of Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Joining Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in 1957, Gloria served for over seventy years; noted as one of the oldest members prior to passing. At Progressive, Gloria faithfully served as a trustee, Women’s Mission Union president and secretary, and a life-time member of the New Era District W.C.

Gloria joins her parents, husband, siblings, and in-laws: Charles (brother) and Gloria Dean (sister-in-law) Hazley, Omar (brother) and Diane Hazley (sister-in-law), Richard Hazley (brother), Ronald Hazley (brother) in Heaven. Gloria is survived by her daughters, Donna Bushur (Mark), Pamela Harris (Keith), and Patrice Snead; granddaughters Sydnee Harris and Micaela Harris; siblings Edith Stovall (Chester), Sarah Collier, Bonnie Hazley, Deloris Hazley and Betty Lee; sisters-in-laws Donna Hazley and Vicki Hazley and a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and other family and friends.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall, I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” - Psalms 27:1

Alphapointe is the national non-profit organization dedicated to empowering people with vision loss to achieve their goals and aspirations. Alphapointe  provides comprehensive vision rehabilitation services to thousands of children, adults and seniors annually.  Alphapointe also manufactures tens of millions of products annually, Alphapointe is one of the largest employers of people who are blind in the U.S. with nearly 400 employees, more than half of whom are blind or visually impaired.

To make a contribution “In Loving memory of Ms. Gloria Snead”:

https://www.alphapointe.org/donate/

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City OK 73123
Tel: 1-800-227-2345
Web: http://www.cancer.org/