Martha Ann Snyder

Martha Ann Register Snyder, 78, of Tallahassee, passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2023, following an extended illness. She was born in Graceville, Florida, December 6, 1944.

Martha was many things. She was honest, compassionate, hard-working, resilient, intelligent, kind, thoughtful, organized, uber-productive, stubborn, faithful, spiritual, and so much more….

Martha was brave. She left the small farming community of Graceville after graduating from Poplar Springs High School in 1961, at 17 years old. She set out, on her own, for the “big city” of Tallahassee, and began working for the State of Florida as a keypunch operator. There, she met a cute coworker named Ed, who had a mischievous grin that melted her heart. They were married on December 5, 1964, in Noma FL. Their union was blessed with three children, Ramona “Mona” Vossler, Kim Stanley (Mike), and Eddie Snyder.

Martha was responsible. She put many of her dreams on hold to help care for her family. She was a young wife and mother of two when she became the full-time guardian of her 12-year-old brother.

Martha was loyal. While she kept her circle of friends small, those bonds were mighty. Her friends knew who they were and that she was always there for them for any reason.

Martha was meticulously clean and organized. Keeping spreadsheets for every facet of her life. She did an amazing job, taking care of her house, her career, and her family.

Martha was a mentor. She graciously shared her wisdom with others to help them shortcut some of the hard-learned life lessons she had experienced. She delighted in the presence of children and took her responsibilities of helping them reach their full potential very seriously. She built her teachings on a strong foundation of kindness, individualism, creativity, and purpose. Her greatest motivation in life was to better the lives of those in her care.

Martha was intelligent. She took education very seriously. Reading self-help books on every subject. She studied how to repair busted toilets, broken budgets, poor habits, tested faith, strained relationships, and everything in between. Self-taught in most things, there was nothing Martha couldn’t do if she put her mind to it. And Lord help anyone who tried to stand in her way!

Martha was strong. She lived a life with more than her share of physical and emotional pain. However, she never allowed it to decrease her love and attention to family and friends.

Most of all, Martha was an artist. She loved all things colorful and imaginative. She loved to paint, draw, sculpt, sew, crochet, design, decorate cakes, play the piano and guitar, sing, dance, write, and do anything to express her inventiveness and creativity.

She left us at one of her most favorite times of year. Driving through the mountains to watch the changing of the leaves was something Martha relished. Only two weeks before her devastating stroke in November 2020, she took her last trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Even though her rheumatoid arthritis made every movement laborious and painful, she was eager to get out every day to see what changes had occurred while the world was dark. Riding through the backwoods of North Carolina, she treasured every aspect of nature. With her artist’s eye, she would notice the most subtle differences each new day would bring to the landscape and marvel in the beauty of God’s great canvas. Maybe she left us in mid-October because she just couldn’t bear to miss another opportunity to see the changing leaves. It is our hope that she experienced the most spectacular view as she rose to the heavens.

Martha was preceded in death by her mother, Bertha Mae Baxley Register, and brothers, Kenneth Register, and Timothy “Tim” Register (Sandy).

Martha leaves behind her beloved husband and partner, Ed Snyder, and her children, Mona Vossler, Kim Stanley (Mike), and Eddie Snyder, whom she called her greatest achievement; her sister, Myra Register Atwell, brother, Dennis Register (Mary), loving sisters-in-law, Millie Saylors and Kathy Graves, grandchildren Bryant Stanley, Melinda Stanley, Sheraiah Danner, Chris Snyder, and Dante Snyder, four great grandchildren, and a host of loving nieces and nephews. She adored them all!

The family will be holding a private Celebration of Life for Martha next month in West Palm Beach, Florida. She will be laid to rest at Hurricane Creek United Methodist Church in Hartford, Alabama, with her precious mother and brothers.

As the family left behind, there are no words to truly express our love and awe of Martha. We will miss her for the rest of our days.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to your local public library or to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tallahassee-cremation for the Snyder family.