Obituary for Bernita Snider

Bernita Doreen Snider

January 15, 1938 – August 6, 2017

Bernita Doreen “Melton” Snider, 79, passed away Sunday morning August 6, 2017 in Haltom City, Texas.

Doreen was born in Los Angeles, CA on January 15, 1938 to Edgar and Mary “League” Melton. Edgar passed away when Doreen was young, and her Mother subsequently married the man Doreen knew as Father, Ralph C. Wallingford. She attended Sumner schools and enjoyed listening to music on the radio and records from a very early age. Growing up, Doreen would purchase “78” records and practice singing along. She was definitely a musician from the start. She spent most of her working years as a waitress at Sooner’s Corner restaurant until she retired to do a part-time upholstery business with her husband and be a full-time mother and homemaker.

Doreen married her best friend and sweetheart, Tom Snider, on September 9, 1957 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. They had four sons, Merle, Tommy, Royce, and Eddie. They renewed their wedding vows on September 9, 2007, their 50th wedding anniversary. Tom, her children and grandchildren were her greatest joys in life. One of Doreen’s other great joys was playing music and singing. She had been in several musical and singing groups but her most notable project was the Country Nomads. They traveled many places and even put out some professionally recorded music. She taught guitar and fiddle to various people including her own children. She was also very involved in singing and playing worship songs at Calvary Baptist Church of Perry, Oklahoma.

Mom did not lose the battle. She finished the race and has been completely healed of all illness. The Lord only brought her home until the day we will be reunited with her forever. Once again, God proved His sovereignty by taking what is His, when He chose and how He saw fit. He gathered another sheep of His pasture to be by His side.

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” ~the Apostle Paul

Doreen was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Lee Snider, Sr; father Edgar Melton and parents, Mary and Ralph Wallingford; sister, Shirley Webb and sister in law Colleen Hearrean; daughter in law, Mara Harmon.

Doreen’s survivors are her four sons, Merle Harmon of Douglas, Oklahoma, Thomas Lee Snider Jr. and his wife, Rita of Edmond, Oklahoma, Royce Snider and his wife, Missy of Haslet, Texas and Eddie Snider and his wife, Crystal of Wichita Falls, Texas; fifteen grandchildren, Sheila Anderson of Enid, Oklahoma, Stephanie Slavens of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Harley Harmon of Enid, Oklahoma, Ryan Harmon of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kent Snider of Rudy, Arkansas, Kiala Powell of Wollongong, Australia, Rachel Coulter of Glenpool, Oklahoma, Ryli Snider of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Madison Snider of Haslet, Texas, Jessie Snider of Haslet, Texas, Heaven Branco of Purcell, Oklahoma, Elijah Snider, Andrew Snider, Samuel Snider and Lucelia Snider all of Wichita Falls, Texas; five greatgrandchildren, Kaysha Stanley of Enid, Oklahoma, Brayden Deason of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tesla Felber of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Brock Anderson of Enid, Oklahoma and Huxton Chet Powell of Wollongong, Australia; one brother Tony Melton of Perry, Oklahoma and one sister Zelma Rupp of Perry, Oklahoma; sister’s in law, Anna Mae Harrell and Ruby Talley.

The family would like to meet and greet friends at Trout Funeral Home of Perry on Wednesday August 9, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Her heavenly homecoming celebration will be held on Thursday, August 10th at 2pm at Calvary Baptist Church of Perry with Pastor Shem Durham officiating. Burial will follow at the conclusion of her celebration at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church building fund, care of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N. 7th St, Perry, OK 73077.

Source: Trout Funeral Home