Minnie Sneed heard the golden bells ringing and passed through those pearly gates in the early afternoon of December 23rd with her sons, Marion and Don, and caregivers, Elizabeth Ayer and Pam Graham surrounding her with love. Minnie’s life was filled with steadfast devotion, kindness, and humor. She approached each task she took on in a quiet and caring way, with an artistic flair. Her family, friends, and the wider community all benefitted from her integrity, precision, and creativity. Minnie’s warmth, patience and wit made us smile and laugh out loud. Fortunately, these qualities were with her to her very last days. She loved this life, her wonderful caregivers, her children, grandchildren, great, and great-greats. In her final years it was great grandson Carson who could always make her face light up.Minnie grew up on a small farm north of Dahlgren. She moved to McLeansboro with her sister Alma to work in a dress factory and met Marion Sneed at a county fair. They married in 1936 and she realized her passion for homemaking: cooking, baking, gardening, canning, having and loving babies; making sure they brushed their teeth and washed behind their ears. She not only hand-made most all of their clothes, she sewed curtains, slip-covers, and made other home-beautifying touches. These were true labors of love! Minnie and Marion with their young daughters, Alma Lee and Marilyn, pulled a house trailer to Washington state during WWII where they lived while Marion worked as a carpenter to support the war efforts. When they came back to McLeansboro the family was active in the First Baptist church and Minnie was excited to move into the first house of their own, which Marion built and Minnie turned into a welcoming home.In 1959 the family moved to Bluford, Illinois. As the children became older Minnie started working at Bluford Grain Co, the family-owned business. After moving into Mt Vernon in 1982 she became active in the Park Avenue church. When she retired she enjoyed volunteering at Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary for many years. But her greatest joy during these years was spending time with her grandchildren.
A Visitation will be Sunday January 2, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Funeral Service will be held Monday, January 3, 2021 at 10:00 am at Hughey Funeral Home. Minnie had requested that any memorial donations go to the North American Mission Offering through Park Avenue Baptist Church.The Funeral Service will be available via zoom at zoom.us/join and please use the passcode: 840 1485 8436Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
Minnie was blessed to have all five children survive her. Alma Barton, of Issaquah, Wa., Marilyn Sneed (Tom Eddy), of Leland, N Carolina, Kay Sneed, of Seattle, Wa., Marion Sneed Jr (Debbie), of Bluford, and Don Sneed (Lea) of Bluford. Grandchildren: Tom Barton, Suzanne McNeil, and John Barton; Shannon Lain; Hannah Tinker and Rebekah Tinker; Justin Sneed and Jeremy Sneed; Sarah Moore and Amy Hermes.Great grands: Cameron, Bryce, and Tess Barton; Meghan, Jocelyn, and Ryan McNeil; Tian Shackleford; Madalyn, Cale, and Maryn Sneed; Kameron and Jase Sneed; Carson, Claire, and Cora Moore.Great-great grands: Calvin, Lillian, Gabrielle, and Malachi Shackelford.John Scrivner, of Salem, is Minnie’s sole remaining sibling.
She was preceded in death by her parents Diana and Riley Scrivner, husband Marion I. Sneed, brother Rozier Scrivner, sisters Alma Graham, Gladys Scrivner, and Reba Aydt.The family is grateful to Mother’s wonderful and devoted caregivers: Elizabeth Ayer, Pam Graham, Michelle Bravard, Alicia Hughey, Shirley Hawkens, Judy Scott, Hannah (Ayer) Cooper, and Mary McMahon. Their loving care enriched mother’s life and assured the family that she was truly and safely embraced.
