Grayson Evan Snider

May 24, 2023-Sept. 4, 2023

Grayson Evan Snider, 3 months, of Northport, Alabama, passed away Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, at Children’s Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama.

After a very healthy pregnancy, Grayson was unexpectedly born with a congenital Diaphragmatic hernia and was immediately life-flighted from DCH Hospital in Tuscaloosa to Children’s, where he spent his entire 103 days of life. Grayson was a fighter, overcoming the odds in what was truly a day-to-day battle to get healthier and stronger. Grayson went through more in a few short months than many people face in a lifetime. When he got to Children’s, he was placed on ECMO, the highest form of life support, for five weeks with two nurses monitoring him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He was intubated for 10 weeks. He overcame seven surgeries, smiling and lifting the spirits of all of those around him as he continued to battle.

In his final week of life, Grayson experienced several firsts — he had a chance to go outside of the hospital, and his brother, Fischer, held him.

The family would like to say thank you to the incredible staff, doctors, and nurses at Children’s. Their care allowed Grayson to live 103 days, giving the family a chance to love and get to know this amazing child. Their support along the way — often via hugs, nurses stopping by to check in, and small celebrations of steps forward — meant the world to the family and truly made these extremely difficult three months much more bearable. Special thank yous to Dr. Scott Anderson, Martha McBride (NP), the ECMO specialists, and NICU nurses for being there every step of this journey.

Grayson is survived by his parents Kristen Nicole Snider and Wesley Jordon Snider; his brother, Wesley Fischer Snider; grandparents, Danny Evans, Lisa Evans, Beth Snider, and Ted Snider; aunts and uncles, Daniel and Alyssa Evans and Hunter and Hannah Snider; cousins, Autumn and Austin Evans and Grant and Charlee Jo Snider; and great grandparents Bill Snider and Lola and Covies Rushing.

The pallbearers for the service are Bob White and Billy Hallman.

The family stayed at Ronald McDonald House near Children’s during the first few months of Grayson’s life so they could be near their son. This nonprofit helps so many families who have a child enduring a hardship like Graysons, and so many people along the way have given to the family to allow them to be with Grayson during missed work and long drives back and forth between Northport and Birmingham.

Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities or Children’s Hospital of Alabama to help another family in need.

A visitation for Grayson will be held Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Memory Chapel Funeral Home, 2200 Skyland Blvd East, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405. Following the visitation will be a graveside service at 4 p.m. at Memory Hill Gardens, 2200 Skyland Blvd East, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemoryChapelFuneralHome.com for the Snider family.