Ramona Snyder Funeral

Ramona Irene (Dray) Snyder, born December 24, 1932, in Pittsburgh, KS, entered her eternal reward in the presence of our Lord, July 2, 2019, in Liberty, MO, at the age of 86 years, 6 months, & 8 days. She was one of the four children born to her parents, Rolland & Susie Dray…her siblings being Patricia, Shirley, and Raymond.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, KS, Ramona graduated from Pittsburgh High School.

Over the course of her life, Ramona had one career…and one other (more) important job. The job she held the longest was a data entry (key punch cards) position for Montgomery Ward. However…the one with which many friends and especially family are more familiar (because she talked about this more) is the few years she spent working at the dairy in Pittsburgh. As best as I can relate…beware of the freezer (at least for a couple of guys)…& beware of the chocolate ice cream! In recent years, Ramona and George regularly served as volunteers at NKCH.

Speaking of George…on November 25, 1954, Ramona married the love of her life, George Snyder. They first met at a roller skating rink in Pittsburgh. George had just come back from serving in the US Marine Corps in the Korean Conflict when they first saw each other at that skating rink. Oh…and their wedding day involved the ceremony at home and Thanksgiving Dinner with the family afterward.

To the home Ramona and George established under our Lord’s leadership, God saw fit to add His blessing of three children: Howie, Greg, and Norman. These boys filled her life joys…and challenges…There were ball games, camping/fishing trips…and Saturday projects (or house cleaning…that’s what happened when the boys got in trouble).

In recent years, Ramona & George enjoyed travelling…often with their long-time friends from our church family, Cathy & Charlie Penrod. She also had their time-share in Branson…which has been a generous blessing to various people within our church. Now, one hobby she “enjoyed” was flower arranging—as long as it didn’t take too long and came together perfectly the first time!

Ramona actually always enjoyed a good conversation…whether on the phone for “a while,” or in person at home. She also really enjoyed family…especially time with her grand kids—playing board games, or dominoes (essentially time stood still when it came to them!).

I also need to mention Ramona’s additional family. A family connection which began at an early age for her. With a grandfather who was a minister, she was introduced to Jesus whom she trusted with her life, repenting of her sin and committing to follow Him and His word. Her life of faith would lead her, and George, to connect with our Claycomo Baptist Church family about 60 years ago. The invitation of a faithful church man, Cecil Turley, helped encourage them in their connection here. She helped out in so many ways…none-the-least-of-which would be in being our church’s first security system. She often would talk to Becky (when she was secretary) about being here too late on some (especially weekend) nights or my wife, Rhonda, being up at church ‘past her bed time’ getting ready for VBS…as well as updates on other happenings. More importantly, Ramona has always been an enthusiastic encourager and help in many ways in the life of our church. Her Christmas treats were greatly anticipated by our Christmas carolers every year. Over the last 10 years, she has been a ready volunteer to help serve the meals to our VBS kids…and was already to have been serving this way this week in our VBS. I will have more to say about this special group in a moment, for now let me just say that she cherished the special relationships of her ladies’ Sunday School class greatly.

This hard-working, witty, sometimes (a little bit) stubborn, bright, talkative, feisty, honest, and joyful lovely lady has been preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Shirley Dray, and her husband, George. Her life-legacy continues through those by whom she is survived, including her siblings: Patricia and Raymond Dray; her children: Howie (and his wife Sheryl), Greg (and his wife Brenda), and Norman; her grand children: Samantha Brown, Stacey Mendez, Brent Snyder, Brandon Snyder, Kailyn Jones, Cortney Snyder, and Garrett Snyder; her great grand children: Elizabeth Jones, Gabriella Mendez, Mateo Mendez, and Landen Brown; other family, friends, and her church family (especially the precious ladies of the Ruth Sunday School class).

Song: How Great Thou Art [CD]

Sharing [Possibly Family, Pastor Scott]

Family_____________

Me - about CBC Ruth Class (she was a blessing to the ladies as much as they were a blessing to her…she helped encourage these friends when they were going through difficult times, she looked out for and encouraged many to be involved in the senior singles’ lunches, and the Sunday-after-church lunches at McDonald’s), &…she is the third lady from among this class our Lord has seen to call home in recent months…all of whom have echoed as visible examples this great legacy found in Scripture:

Proverbs 31.10-

Proverbs 31:10–12 CSB

Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31.25-30

Proverbs 31:25–30 CSB

Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her: “Many women have done noble deeds, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

Song: Amazing Grace [CD]

Message [; Pastor Scott]

Precious Promises for Us (God’s People) as We Face the Death of A Loved One—

Our God Sustains Us (23:1-2)

Times of Rest

Times of Refreshing

Our God Leads Us (23:3-4)

For the Challenges/Opportunities of This Life

For Facing Our Last Enemy – Death

Our God Prepares for Us (23:5-6)

What We Need for This Life

What We Need for Eternal Life

Prayer [Pastor Scott]

Dismissing of Service [Open Casket; by rows from the back]

__________________________

GRAVE SIDE

Scripture Reading

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 CSB

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.