Deacon Emeritus Leo Snoddy

SNODDY, Deacon Emeritus Leo - Age 81, passed away Friday August 2, 2013 at his residence. Family hour 10:30AM Thursday August 8, 2013 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 512 Pearsall Ave., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11AM. Pastor Terrance J. Gowdy, officiating. Interment White Chapel Cemetery 621 W. Long Lake Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30AM Thursday. Mr. Snoddy will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St., and may be viewed from 2-8PM Wednesday. The family will be present to receive friends from 6-8PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Deacon Leo Harrell Snoddy was born August 3, 1931 in Longview, Texas to the late Wailie and Annie B. Snoddy. He met and married his sweetheart Wilma Jean Hawley Snoddy at Center Baptist Church in White Oak, Texas in 1950. He graduated from Shiloh High School in 1949. Leo’s life’s journey has been focused on his faith in God, being an exemplar role model for his family, demonstrating strong work ethics, and always emphasizing the importance of a good education. Leo’s strong work ethic started early. His first job was as a Janitor at Pine Hills Elementary where he was responsible for gathering fire wood to heat the two-room school before the other children arrived. He was on the 3/3 Pay Plan…he earned three dollars per month and had to walk three miles to pick up his paycheck! Starting at the age of 13, Leo worked for J.T. and Mary Frances Cagle during the summers and learned how to maintain a lawn, make household repairs, raise chickens, and drive a car. This would be the first sign of what would become a long history of owning rental properties. In 1953, with the emerging automotive industry and the possibility of joining a company with good benefits, Leo moved his family to Michigan where he worked in the Pontiac Motors Division of General Motors for thirty-four years. While working at Pontiac Motors and after his retirement, Leo invested time and energy into purchasing and renting many homes in Pontiac and Detroit for over thirty years. As an honorable and responsible father, Leo wanted to ensure that families had “good homes” in which to raise their children. Acting on this vision, he always strived to provide well-maintained, clean, and affordable properties. Living by faith, daily prayers, and much thankfulness, Leo evolved from growing up in the church not only as a youth, but throughout his life. He and his wife have been active members of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Pontiac, Michigan since 1953. Leo served as Chairman of the Deacon Board, Chairman of the Building Fund, Sunday School Teacher, and dedicated member of the Mission ministry for many years. He also established the Youth Usher Board. Deacon Snoddy leaves to cherish his memory: loving wife, Wilma Jean Hawley Snoddy; one son, Anthony L. Snoddy; four daughters, Karen Elaine Walker, Norma Snoddy Nixon, Neva Snoddy Martin, and Marshilia Enetta Snoddy; one daughter-in-law Shawn L. Snoddy; two sons-in-law, Reverend Eric Walker and James Nixon; ten grandchildren, Shonda Sherrie Snoddy-Walker, Carmen Elizabeth (Gregory) Harden, De’Juhn France Benion, Danan Frances Benion, Jessica Drina Martin, Justin LaDell Walker, Julian LaVell Walker, Joshua Dell Martin, Gabriel Anthony Snoddy, and Grace Elizabeth Snoddy; one great-grandson, Myles-Mackenzie Snoddy Walker; three brothers, George (Linda) Snoddy (Alexandria, Virginia), James (Lois) Snoddy (Detroit, Michigan), and Vernon (Vickie) Snoddy (Pontiac, Michigan); one sister, Annie Yvonne Bradford (San Francisco, California); four godchildren, Kassandra “Kay” Buckhaulter (Ernest) Mack, Kiara Gardner, Derrick Gardner, and Jamal Gardner; and a host of other family and friends. Deacon Snoddy was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters: Selvin Snoddy, Forrest Snoddy, Marthan Love, Wailie Mae White, and Ruie B. Mark.

Deacon Emeritus Leo Snoddy

August 3, 1931 - August 2, 2013