Joan Claudette Snyder

Joan Claudette Snyder, age 86, and former longtime resident of Gold Beach, went home to be with Jesus peacefully at her home in Eugene, Oregon, on October 2, 2024. Joan was born August 9, 1938 in Kelso, Washington, to Frank Jeff and Opal Ellen (Smith) Chappelle.
She moved to the Gold Beach area in October, 1949, with her mother and step-father Sidney Perkins, sister Judith Paulette (Hurlburt), brother George Sidney Perkins, later Patrick "Turkey" Sayles Perkins. Her first nickname was "PeeWee" given to her by her Grandpa, for "Sweet Pea" in Popeye. Her mother wrote, "PeeWee was harder to follow around than a tornado!" In August of 1954, she was crowned the Curry County Fair Queen – 70 long years ago!
Joan's first marriage blessed her with a daughter, Piney Joan. Joan later married John W. Snyder on July 26, 1957. They were blessed with four more daughters Paula Jayne, Patricia Gail, Pamela Renee, and Peggy Lee.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her home was full of love, laughter, singing and delicious smells. She supported and encouraged her family in all their adventures and was everyone's biggest fan. She was loving and compassionate, offering a non-judgmental listening ear. She lived out her faith, praying without ceasing many nights for her family. Her faith journey began when she attended a youth group as a young teen at the Ophir Grange, led by Jim & Roberta Crumley. Later she was saved at a Billy Graham revival. Joan was the first to be baptized in the newly built baptistry in the first Baptist Church of Gold Beach to which she was a lifelong member. She was committed to doing volunteer work for church, schools and community.
She and her daughters were involved in the Mother and Daughter Tea through the Baptist Church. Joan always "farmed out" her daughters so that people without daughters could take a "daughter".
Joan loved a good laugh, even if it meant the laugh was at her own expense. She took part in many plays and skits and loved to entertain at the Ophir variety shows. She never feared embarrassment.
Once at a restaurant in Salem, she sang "Little Bunny Foo Foo" while playing with the saltshakers and hopping around the table to entertain her grandchildren. Her trademark look was red lipstick (her favorite color). She would leave a trail of blotted red lips on all types of paper everywhere she went. Stories of her humor and joy from her laughter will be long remembered.
Joan had a variety of jobs such as a cashier at Milt's Market, working for U. S. Plywood, the local Telephone Company, and for Hughes Aircraft in California, before her final career as an Alcohol / Drug Evaluator and later as Director by the Curry County Council on Alcoholism. She was passionate about helping people who suffered with addictions, having seen the results of addictions from friends and family members. She retired in 2000 after 27 years due to health issues.
After moving to Evergreen Assisted Living in Eugene, She would always sing loud and lift her hands in praise to God during the weekly paise and prayer nights. She loved to sing loud, even if it was not the correct words. The group was very happy to have her. The last couple of weeks before her death she was continually singing and praying day and night and wondering why God hadn't taken her home yet! She passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her father Frank Chappelle of Ashville, North Carolina; mother Opal Perkins and stepfather Sidney Perkins of Gold Beach; niece Cori Elaine Roberts; son in law Kenneth Tams, brother George Sidney Perkins; sister Judith Paulette Hulbert; and grandson Robert Dale Stansell.
She is survived by her husband John W. Snyder, Eugene OR; daughter Piney and her husband David Stansell of Gold Beach; granddaughter Rebecca (Brian) Bernard & their son Willem; great-grandson Kellen Stansell and great-grandsons Ian and Aiden Stansell, grandaughter Allysum (Clayton) Barber, and great grandchildren Olivia and Jack.
Daughter Paula (Marty) Curtis of Gold Beach, grandson Luke (Samantha) Curtis; grandson Jebb (Courtney) Curtis, great-grandchildren Finley, Jace, Logan, Brynn.
Daughter Patricia (Eddie) Stephens of Bowling Green, Kentucky; grandsons Josiah (Morgan) Stephens, Caleb (Breanna) Stephens and great grandchildren Emma & son Gideon.
Daughter Pamela (Duane) Hankins of Gold Beach, grandson Zachary (Kelly) Tams; great-grandchildren Ezra, Silas, Grace, Joy and Abigail; granddaughter Tarah (John) Traut and great-grandchildren Titus, Gideon & Judah; grandson Garrett (Lilly) Tams and great grandchildren Jeremiah & Malachi; step-granddaughter Katie (Coady) Stanbery and great-grandchildren Maci, Mia & Ryan.
Daughter Peggy (Daniel) Sanders of Eugene, Oregon; granddaughter Sierra (Michael) Chaney, granddaughter Allison and grandson Nathaniel.
A Celebration of Joan's life will be held at 11 a.m. on November 2, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Gold Beach. A reception will follow the service. She was laid to rest at Rogue River Cemetery in October.