Stephanie Lunsford Snyder
February 3, 1948 ~ January 20, 2009
Resided in:
Mt. Pleasant, SC
STEPHANIE LUNSFORD SNYDER
Stephanie Lunsford Snyder, 60, a resident of Mt. Pleasant, SC, died Tuesday, January 20, 2009, in Mt. Pleasant after a brief fight with cancer.
She is survived by her husband of forty years, H. Stephen Snyder of Mt. Pleasant.
She was born February 3, 1948, in Asheville, and she was preceded in death by her Father, Melvin "Laurence" Lunsford, her Mother, Henrietta Gaddis Lunsford both of Asheville, and her sister Doris Lunsford Simpson of Irving Texas.
In addition to her husband Stephen, she is survived by a niece, Pamela Simpson Lochhead, of Ridgecrest, California, her husband Larry and their daughter Suzanne; another niece Lisa Simpson Ballard of Purcell, OK, her husband, Keith, and their children Stephanie and Scott; and her brother-in-law William W. Simpson of Irving , Texas.
She was a 1966 graduate of Lee Edwards High School and attended Western Carolina University at Cullowhee.
She was the Director of Computer Services at the South Carolina School of Law in Columbia, SC and then moved to Charleston, SC were she was the legal administrator for several multi-office law firms.
After retirement, she became an independent activist for the Democratic Party. She belonged to the following organizations and spent long hours working for the causes of: the ACLU, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, the SPCA, Block Blackwater, Democrats.com, Democratic Underground.com, Human Rights Campaign, Human Rights First, MoveOn.org, Naral Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood, People for the American Way, Save Darfu, United for Peace and Justice and Free Levi Johnson.
After the discovery of her cancer, she decided that she needed to do more than sit at the computer writing letters to government officials and daily newsletters, so she became a volunteer at the Women's Clinic as an escort for the clinic's patients who have to walk through lines of screaming anti-abortion protestors. She met a wonderful group of caring volunteers who also got her involved in anti-war protests.
Stephanie loved movies and went with her best friend two or three times a week, mostly to The Terrace Theater on James Island. This summer, as she has watched previews for movies she knew she would not see, she was sad for what she knew she would miss.
In lieu of flowers, please go see a movie for her, preferably at The Terrace, and remember her while you are watching the movie.
After cremation, there will be a private burial at her family cemetery.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting with the arrangements.
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Dear Steve:
Our hearts are with you this day as you remember the life of your loving wife of forty years. May you be comforted by sweet memories of your wonderful life together. In the days and months ahead, may the love of friends and family give you comfort and the loving arms of the Father fill you with peace. You are loved with an everlasting love.
Steve:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Steve, Stephanie’s obituary is full of life. I wish I could have known her better and talked with her about all her causes. Please know that Chuck and I are thinking about you and honoring you and Stephanie. Love, Fonda
To my brother;
I will remember Stephanie as an elegant lady and the best personal shopper a girl ever had. May the memories of your time together warm your heart and fill up the spaces of your life with the knowledge that she will always be there with you in spirit.
My sympathy goes to Steve and your family. May Stephanie rest in peace. It was a pleasure knowing her in the short time I did.
Stephanie was a kind and caring person who I will truly miss. I will always remember her love for her little doggies. My thought go out to her loved once,
Sincerly,
Carolyn
Saw ‘Gran TOrino’ yesterday and I swear Steph followed me into the ladies’ room; Then had dinner out and when I saw Pomegranite martinis on the menu, I lost it!
Steve,
If there is anything I can do, do not hesitate to call. If you need a place to chill, my home is open to you. My phone number is (828)508-1818.
I love you, Patricia
Steve,
I met Stepehanie a few short years ago. I so enjoyed her zest for life. Who knew it would be cut short so quickly. I’ll raise my glass to the lady with class! She was just so elegant, courageous and a whole lot of fun to be with. I only wish I had met her years ago. She’ll always be a part of the ‘Blue Dots.’ My thoughts are with you.
Steve,
My sincere sympathy for your loss.
Stephanie was a wonderful person. May you find comfort during your grief.
Love, Sue
It seems that we didn’t know our neighbor very long, but we could always count on a smile and good conversation. Our sincere condolences to Stephen and all her relatives.
My prayers are with you as you go through the loss of Stephanie.
Steve…We send our condolences for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Time to see a movie.
Dear Steve,
My deepest sympathies on your loss of Stephanie. I already miss her emails on politics, movies, and life in general. I felt honored when she called me to see a movie but unfortunately was out of town. Now, I will think of her every time I go to the Terrace. She was so great with Jenna as they were kindred animal lovers and I appreciated that. I know the road ahead will be tough, so call anytime you feel like talking.
Lisa
Steve, Jill and I are sorry of your loss and we send our heartfelt condolences. May God bless and be with you during your time of mourning.
Curtis Joyner
Heartfelt condolences to the family of Stephanie Lunsford, whose ideals are shared by so many of us in the Lee H. Edwards class of 1966. May her life serve to inspire us all.
James Burnham
Steve-I know what it’s like to lose a spouse. It’s the hardest thing you’ll ever experience. I enjoyed knowing her in school. She’ll be missed. Class of 1966.
Stephanie was a great person to get to know.Her enthusiasm for movies was second to none.Iam very lucky to have gotten to know her over the last two years.Steve you are a great guy and we pray for you at this time.Stephanie will be missed around here very much.I shall miss all her emails , film advice AND FRIENDSHIP.We have a very special place in our heart for her.
ALL OF US AT THE TERRACE THEATER
Steve, We are so sorry to hear of Stephanie’s passing. We think of her often and will miss her e-mails. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill and Jo Ann
May God be with you and your family now and always.
We have lost one of the special members of the West Asheville gang. I remember Stephanie as a free spirit who was always there for a friend. Having her as a friend throughout the school years was a joy. I have no doubt she lived life to the fullest. I celebrate her life and send heartfelt condolences to her family.
I met Stephanie while she a volunteer at the women’s clinic. I loved her humor and her dedication and her great knowledge of politics and current affairs, and of course her emails. I will miss her very much.
Dear Steve,
My sincere condolences on the loss of your wife and my friend Stephanie. Stephanie was certainly the most talented, creative and efficient person I knew. I will miss everything from her great recipes to her beautifully wrapped in tulle presents to her hundreds of political cartoons. Charlie joins me in extending sympathy to you and her family and friends.
Steve,
It is with great sadness to learn of Stephanie’s passing. May you be
blessed with peace during this time. Our best to you.
Shirley and Clevie
Steve, please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of Stephanie. We’ve known both of you for quite a while and know you must feel the loss tremendously. Hope we can raise a glass to Stephanie soon, here in the mountains she loved so much.
Dear Steve-
How saddened I am about the loss of Stephanie and now regret so much not being in touch in recent years. As Tom Ressler put it, Stephanie was a true ‘free spirit’ and back in high school. I appreciated her individuality and audacity to be herself, and her great creativity. One of the coolest things going was her ad hoc group (called ‘Moony’ if I’m correct) who made the most beautiful banners and posters. I’m bowled over by her great activism detailed in her obituary that reflects the generosity of her spirit. I will indeed think of her when I go to the movies, and I thank her for her wonderful contributions to many Tanglewood shows in the Prop department, and for her friendship. Peace to you and I hope to see you again one day. Blessings to Stephanie’s good soul and to you.
John Haber
Dear Steve, Stephanie’s family, and everyone who knew her,
Grief is the purest evidence that we have loved and loved well. It’s such a personal thing and nothing anyone can say or do can take away the pain, but it’s clear from the guestbook entries that many are thinking of you Steve, with caring and warmth, and many will continue to mourn the loss of Stephanie.
We are all suddenly connected by this loss, and some of us are whisked back in time, deeply moved to wonder at how fast we’ve come to this point. I was one of a small group that included Stephanie at Lee Edwards High School in Asheville. We were self-named the Moonies, as our dear friend John Haber has reminded me in his guestbook entry. Though our focus was creative, there was an underlying anti-establishment spirit. I’m uplifted to know Stephanie nourished that orientation throughout her life, and stepped out with courage, multiplying it in others. I knew her as someone willing to invest in something merely because it was good and not because it was sure to succeed. I can truly say, I loved her for that.
I cried when I heard of Stephanie’s death. I read her obituary, and I came to this: I will be tolerant of being unsure. When the implacable night reigns, simply keeping the affirming flame alive is a victory. Strength to Steve, the family, and all of us.
Joanne (Jodi) Taylor Farrar
January 24, 2009
Atlanta, GA
Steve,
You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers. Call me any time – my house at Jonas Ridge is open to you.
Your brother,
John
I never got to meet Stephanie, but exchanged emails with her and have missed her missives. She was encouraging, impassioned and determined, and will leave a hole in the world. I am sorry for your loss, and hers, and will be sure to go to a film for her.
Dear Steve,
Debbie and I want you to know we are thinking of you and that you are in our prayers.Growing up with Stephanie was a gift.Her talent and wonderful sense of humor was always inspiring.I know that all of her classmates will share in your loss.We offer our sincere condolences.
Doug & Debbie Bebber
Dear Steve,
Our hearts go out to you at the loss of your beloved Stephanie. She was such a rare gem, a talented and gracious lady, and a dear friend.
A TRIBUTE TO STEPHANIE
We will always remember Stephanie.
We will remember her….
In the vibrant notes of a Broadway Musical.
In the sparkle and glitter of beautifully wrapped Christmas packages.
In the icy shimmer of her ‘specialty’ martinis.
In the voice of our new President, she so passionately supported.
In the elegant beauty of a vase of red roses.
In the ambiance and charm of an excellent restaurant.
In the attentive eyes of her little dogs.
In the unwavering love and devotion of Steve.
In the comfortable darkness of a movie theater, watching a movie and wishing so much that she was there too.
We will remember her always…in our thoughts and in our hearts.
Steve, I am a graduate of Western Carolina University and learned of the passing of you wife through Clevie Luckadoo. My deepest regrets go out to you and your family. May the Lord Bless you and keep you.