Stillwater Valley News
July 29, 1929

Mrs. Sarah Snyder

A lovely life came to a close on Wednesday night, July 24, in the passing away of Mrs. Sarah Snyder at her home in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Sallie Jay Snyder, the only child of John and Maria Jay, was born in Pleasant Hill, Ohio, January 6, 1870, and here she grew to young womanhood and attended the Pleasant Hill school from which she graduated in the year 1891.

When just a child she showed marked ability in music and every advantage of a musical education was given her, and for a number of years she was a teacher of music. In fact, throughout her entire life, so filled was her soul with this love of music that it seemed--

"God built for her a harmony
That was both deep and strong,
And made her life a melody,
Like unto some sweet song."

When a young girl she became a member of the Pleasant Hill Christian Church under the ministry of Rev. O. P. Furnas, retaining her membership with this Church through all these years.

On May 22, 1898 she was united in marriage with Mr. A. E. Snyder and together they built their home and what a splendid home it has been. One that radiated hospitality and good cheer to everyone.

Mrs. Snyder possessed a most beautiful character, generosity, sympathy and kindness being outstanding features and in every way her life suggests to us who knew her best, these words of the poet as the prayer of her heart.

"Lord, help me live from day to day,
In such a self-forgetful way,
That even when I kneel to pray,
My prayer shall be for -- others.

Help me in all the work I do
To ever be sincere and true,
And know that all I do for you,
Must needs be done for -- others.

And when my work on earth is done,
And my new work in heaven's begun
May I forget the crown I've won
While thinking still of -- others."

And so with this thought of others, she made a home many more than her own family. First into this home came the little girl Lulu Jay and to her she was a Mother in every essential heart-throb and heart sentiment, and to her it a great sorrow when after several years this daughter was taken leaving the little daughter Rosalind. Again came the supreme test of mothering another's child, and this she did with the same love and tenderness the Mother before her had found.

Not only did these little girls share her loving ministrations but to Uncle Henry Jay, Mrs. Josephine Brining, Mr. Joe Claire and Mr. John William Longnaker her home was a haven where the smile and the song of her kind heart many times brought them comfort and cheer.

What a beautiful portrayal her life has been of the words of the Master, "I came into this world not to be ministered to, but to minister." and though her earthly ministry is ended we know that life does not end and that love lives on and that her splendid life of usefulness is not ended but just begun.