Mary LaVerne Snyder

LaVerne was a fiercely independent and intelligent woman who lived on her own terms; outfitted with intellect and sass, LaVerne was a proper lady. LaVerne graduated with High Honors from John H. Reason Senior High in Houston, Texas in 1947. LaVerne went on to Rice University, where she was recognized by Twentieth Century Fox as a Coed Beauty.

Mary LaVerne Greenlee married Charles Albert Snyder in 1949. Charles and LaVerne had two beautiful daughters, Paula Lynn and Kathryn Suzanne. Following Charles’ unforeseen death in 1959, LaVerne continued to raise her daughters on her own in Houston, Texas. LaVerne earned her Master’s Degree in Education and taught elementary school in Houston Independent School District for over 30 years.

LaVerne was a life-long learner, keeping up with modern technologies, politics and social sciences. In her retirement she spent her time reading self-help books and traveling between Houston and her family farm in Sheridan, Arkansas. LaVerne continued to travel independently until she nearly 89 years old! LaVerne Snyder was an amazing woman, who left a profound impact on those she came in contact.

LaVerne is preceded in death by her parents Zedic and Pauline Greenlee; her husband, Charles Snyder; and her daughter Paula Lynn Snyder Cameron.

She is survived by her daughter Kathy Suzanne Snyder Spiegel; granddaughters Amie Jones and Melissa Fischer; grandsons, Charles Spiegel, Jim Spiegel, Timothy Shaw and Michael Cameron; great-grandchildren, Jared Jones, Madeleine Jones, Nathaniel Fischer, Morgan Fischer, Emerson Spiegel and Lane Spiegel.

An interment service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 7th of February, at Woodlawn Garden of Memories, 1101 Antoine Street in Houston.