Martha Lou Snipes

Martha Lou Snipes passed away unexpectedly on the evening of September 23, 2016 at her home following her return from an Outer Banks, NC vacation with her family.Martha was born at William’s Clinic, Spruce Pine, NC on October 17, 1947 to the late Hollis Fred and Lorene Wilkie Snipes. Martha was educated in the Spruce Pine Public School System and Mars Hill College. She studied music and was proficient in piano, organ, clarinet, flute and accordion.During a varied and enjoyable career, Martha was employed by the Hartford Life Insurance Company in Memphis, TN where she frequently qualified for trips abroad. She also worked at several major museums including the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and the St. Petersburg, FL Museum of Fine Arts. More recently, Martha had returned home to care for her mother.Martha possessed the admirable attributes of a caring, fun-loving, devoted daughter, mother, sibling and friend. She especially delighted in finding just the right gift for family members and friends. She always thought of others.Martha’s life reflected multiple talents and energies among which included gardening, visiting shut-in’s and befriending stray animals. She was an avid reader, an exceptional cook and a true treasure to her family.As a long-standing community participant, Martha was an active member of the Spruce Pine’s Women’s P.E.O., a volunteer for The Safe Place Women’s Shelter and an avid advocate and supporter of the Mitchell County Animal Shelter.Martha is survived by her son Richard Hollis Burleson of Spruce Pine, NC. She leaves to cherish her memories sisters Patricia S. Wilgus of Norfolk, VA and Joyce S. Beane of Granite Falls, NC and brother Hollis Fred Snipes Jr. of Pilot Mountain, NC and nine wonderful nieces and nephews: Suzanne, Sharon, Debbie, David, Andrew, Nathan, Freddie, Gavin and Wesley and all their children.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Safe Place Women’s Shelter.A memorial service honoring Martha’s life will be conducted at Webb Funeral Home on Saturday October 1, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service.Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website www.webbfh.com. selecting Martha Snipes’ name and then you may sign her guestbook. Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine, NC is honored to be assisting the Snipes family. Mrs. Snipes obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing.Martha Lou Snipes would like to let you know that her work here is done. She received a call, a sort of an offer you cannot refuse, for an opportunity from which she will not be returning from. This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends she has not seen in a long while. Job security is exactly 110 percent. Her new mission takes her to a wonderful place where she will be socializing, dancing, gardening, and reading to her heart is content. Music, laughter and love are guaranteed. Food is divine and you never gain an ounce. She left detailed instructions for her family to celebrate her mission here, which has now been completed. "Low adherence to this instruction will not be tolerated" .With my passing I leave behind my son Richard H. Burleson, my two sisters Patricia Wilgus of Norfolk, VA., and Joyce and her husband Jerry Beane of Granite Falls, NC. and my brother Fred Snipes and his wife Barbara in Mount Airy, NC. To my several nieces and nephews whom I shall deeply miss until I once again see; Suzanna, Sharon, Debbie, David, Andrew, Nathan, Gavin, and Wesley. And all their children.To my close friends; you all have been very supportive, sharing my issues with one another plus understanding; Teresa, Susie, Gay, Nila and all the rest of my support groups (The P.E.O. Club). I so appreciate you being there when needed.I enjoyed my last days with my close family members on a coastal beach where I was at peace and comfort.Read Obituary