Wanda Sue Roberts Snoots                        July 3, 1945                        March 3, 2023

Wanda “Sue” Snoots of Gordonsville went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 3^rd. Sue was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, amazing sister, aunt, and friend. She was also a faithful woman who loved the Lord, her family, and her church and always tried to make life easier for others. Her life testimony was a true inspiration.

Sue was born in Roanoke, VA on July 3, 1945, and was the first-born child of the late Herman June and Addie Lee (Altice) Roberts. She was the apple of her daddy’s eye and always teased that she was his favorite (which she was). Spending time with her siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins brought her great joy. She loved the mountains and being outdoors. As a child, she could be found running barefoot around her grandparents’ farm in Galax while climbing trees, eating crabapples, chasing chickens, and enjoying music at the Old Fiddlers’ Convention.

In the 1950s, her family moved to Free Union, VA where she attended Meriwether Lewis School and Albemarle High School. Life was simple and she enjoyed hanging out with her childhood friends; time well spent, filled with laughter, dreaming, and telling childhood secrets. Sue loved swimming in the river, hanging out at Albemarle Lake, or just lying in the field, next to their family home, and looking at the sky in awe of God’s masterpiece. She loved clouds, watching them move and trying to figure out what animal or person they looked like. In the evenings, catching lightning bugs or playing hide and seek was a top priority.

But, even as a young girl, Sue loved Jesus and going to church. She attended Ivy Creek Methodist Church with her family. Sunday afternoons were always spent with family and close friends and sharing a home-cooked meal. Her mama’s banana pudding and mac and cheese were two of her favorites and she often would sneak back for seconds. Over the years, Sue mastered both dishes.

Sue especially loved to listen to the music of the 50s and 60s, and often, she and her sisters would spend hours dancing and singing to the music of Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Ricky Nelson, and the Supremes.  But, talking had to be her favorite thing to do. Sue never met a stranger and could talk to anyone. When her family got their first telephone, oh my, was she thrilled. And anyone, who truly knew Sue, knew she had the gift of gab. She loved talking to others on the telephone…and this never changed over her lifetime. Her voice will be missed by many.

After high school, life brought some challenges to her, but she handled them with grace. She was a hard worker and while working in Woolco in the jewelry department, Sue met the love of her life. Their story began with two simple words when Art walked up to her and said, “hello Hollywood”. He knew there was something special about her and two years later, in Galax, they married. That day was the beginning of a not-so-perfect, perfect lifetime together. Sue often said that “God gave me the best” when she talked about Art.

Their journey took Sue, Art, and Wayne to Hampton Roads and this was a pivotal time for them. Life was busy; the twins were born, Wayne was playing Pee Wee football and as a family, they started attending Parkview Church of God. At Parkway they witnessed the love of Christ through the healing of A.T., their youngest son. Although Sue grew up knowing and loving Jesus, it wasn’t until then that she truly understood what it meant to give her life to Christ. When the Holy Spirit called, on Mother’s Day, May 14, 1974, she answered. Probably the most important day of her life and for that reason, we can rest assured that today, she is in the presence of Jesus.

During their 52 years of marriage, Sue and Art faced every trial and test together. They used each as an opportunity to grow in their faith and to minister to others. God showed them his truth and promises, and they grew strong together. Their eyes were fixed on sharing God’s love with others. In March 1982, Art became the Pastor of the Church of God in Gordonsville (now called Daystar Worship Center) and he and Sue built a wonderful ministry of 35 years. During that time, Sue developed a great love for the people and the country of Israel, and she and Art were blessed to lead eight tours to the Holy Land. Their church family described Sue as being joyful, fun, selfless, and a true inspiration.

Sue also loved being a mom and a grandmother and it showed. She was adored by her sons, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters. She was so proud of each of them and the lives they had built. Mom/Grandma Sue was always there to listen, advise, laugh, cry, and most importantly pray for each of them. One of her favorite scriptures, Jeremiah 29:11, she shared often with her family. “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Her love for them was a sustaining force that will be embedded in their hearts forever.

Her siblings described her as being the “rock” of the family. When their parents died, Sue was the strong one; the one that knew what to do; the one that could be counted on. She was their biggest cheerleader and their biggest critic. There was no doubt how much she loved and was loved by her brother and sisters.  

Sue lived her life by faith not sight. She shared that her strength was founded in Him and her eyes were on the Holy Spirit. “In Him, we live, move, and have our being and will continue until He calls us Home.” She is now Home and no doubt His first words to her were, “well done, good and faithful servant”.     

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Herman J. and Addie L. (Altice) Roberts; sister, Linda (Roberts) Rhoads, father-in-law, Roy W. Snoots, mother-in-law, Margaret (Clary) Snoots, sister-in-law, Martha (Cooper) Roberts, brother-in-law, Kenny Snoots and niece, Kelli Snoots-Main and many other family members. 

She is survived by her loving husband, Pastor Arthur T. Snoots; three loving sons, Wayne and his wife, Debby, Shawn, and A.T. Snoots. Three beautiful granddaughters, Kristi, Angelina, and Emma Snoots, and her four-legged baby, Bailey. Surviving siblings include her brother, Billy Roberts; sister, Cathy Roberts Ferguson and her husband, Steve. Loving nieces, Mindy Reynolds Swickrath (John), Lindsay Reynolds Walden (Brock), Rachael Ferguson Freeman (Scott), Dawn Snoots Gartner (Chuck), and Cassie Birckhead Arey. Great nieces and nephews, Margaret, Clayton, and Jacob Walden, Chloe and Brynn Swickrath, Ben Freeman, Cami Arey Russell (Justin), Taylor, Caiden, Talon, Paisley, and Piper Arey, and many cousins and beloved friends.  

Please join our family as we celebrate the life of this amazing woman, remember what she meant to so many people, and rejoice with us as we can only imagine her joy when she met her Lord face to face.  

Saturday, March 18th at 1:00 pm

Daystar Worship Center

303 North High Street, Gordonsville, VA

“Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:28

“In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28