Hazel S. Sniff

Hazel Romaine Spangler Sniff 

January 4, 1933 – January 14, 2025 

We will celebrate the life of our colorful and vibrant mother at 11 am, February 1, 2025, at Tuckston United Methodist Church, 4175 Lexington Rd, Athens, GA 30605 with a service in the sanctuary, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. To honor her love for New Orleans, please wear the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and/or gold. 

Hazel was born in New Orleans, La., and spent her childhood in York, Pennsylvania. Her family returned to New Orleans in time for her to attend high school and meet the love of her life, George Louis Sniff. The two married on June 17, 1951 and celebrated a remarkable 67 years together. He preceded her in death in 2018. Also preceding her in death were her parents, Clarence and Edna Spangler, her brothers, Clair Spangler and Ervin Spangler, Sr., and her son, Dave Sniff. 

Hazel is survived by her children and their spouses: Donald Sniff, Daniel and Joyce Hardman Sniff, and Denise and Paul Manderfield; daughter-in-law Juanda Sniff; her brother, Donald Spangler, her sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Bruce Eschete; her sisters-in-law, Audrey Spangler and Beverly Spangler; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gerald and Lola Sniff; her grandchildren and their spouses: Shawn and Samantha Sniff; Amberlie and Stephen Flippen; Hashi Schoen and Shaunn Oaten; Ashley Escoe; Erin and T.J. Bunch; Rylee Beauvais; Sydney Sniff; David and Elizabeth Manderfield; Kathleen Manderfield; and Claire Manderfield. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. 

In their teens, our parents attended dances every weekend. Their lifelong love to dance was how many people will remember them. Even after our dad died, mom would continue to dance – sometimes to the music in her own head – on her feet or with the aid of her walker. She danced until the very end, and she is now dancing with our dad in Heaven. 

Our mother was an excellent homemaker, cook and seamstress. She loved to craft, and she crocheted numerous afghans for family and friends. She was a self-taught decorator and worked for many years selling wallpaper and window treatments in Decatur, Ala. A home she decorated won first prize in the Morgan County Homebuilders Association Parade of Homes in the late 1980s. Throughout her life, she worked in various fabric and department stores. In her early 20s, she was a department store model in New Orleans. She always had an amazing sense of style. More than anything, though, she loved being a mother and grandmother. She devoted her life to her children and grandchildren, never saying no to an opportunity to spend time with her darlings. Her grandchildren have years of happy memories of her and their Paw Paw taking them on trips, attending their concerts and ball games, and hosting epic Friday night sleep overs. 

Our father’s job in industrial coating sales took our family from Louisiana to Newport News, Va., Knoxville, Tenn., and Decatur, Ala. They made lifelong friends wherever they were. In 1999, they moved to Athens, Ga., and co-owned the Foundry Street Apartments with Daniel. While in Athens, they became involved with Tuckston UMC, Relay for Life, and the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support. Hazel was a breast cancer and lung cancer survivor. 

Memorials may be made to the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support, give.piedmont.org/lsccs or Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support 1199 Prince Avenue Athens, Georgia 30606; or Tuckston United Methodist Church, 4175 Lexington Rd, Athens, GA 30605. 

Lord and Stephens, East is in charge of arrangements.