Michael Lester Schneider

THE STORY of Michael

Michael Lester Schneider was born to the late Dr. Roy Lester Schneider, former Governor of the British Virgin Island and the late Mrs.Joyce S. Clark, of Washington DC, on December 29, 1965 in Washington DC.

Michael was Baptised and raised Presbyterian at St. Paul Presbyterian Church of High Point, NC. There he served as a Deacon, as the Sacristan, President of the men's organization, Bible school teacher and choir member over several years; while living in High Point.

Michael started and completed his formal education in the High Point, Guilford County, NC public school system where graduated from Southwest Guilford Senior High School, Class of '85; prior to his military training and graduation in the US Army, in South Carolina and Texas 1986 and 1987 respectively. Following, he served in the Army Reserves in 1987 to 1989.

As many young people in the south did back then, he worked for nearly every fast food restaurant in town before he went on to manage, staff and service an American Express data security company for a few years. After that, he moved to DC to help assist his Aunt, where he had permanently resided for many years, until his final days.

He came to DC to help take care of his Aunt Charlottie through many of her illnesses and hospitalizations. He did the back and forth to High Point when his mother needed help while recovering. He never wanted his mother or aunt to have to wait for help so he made sure to be where he was needed for either of them. His Military Occupational Status (MOS) was Medic; that persona was always in play. As a very young boy, Michael chose to live with his grandparents most of the time, just across the city there in High Point, so he could see about them, too.

Michael was loved by many. A lot of whom were the Senior Citizen women of Auntie's Jolly 12 social club and the Whist Club. They loved how he cooked and served them when Auntie entertained the two groups; down to even walking them to and from their cars at meetings. He even sat in on long and boring hours at the DC City Council hearings while his Aunt and many of her Fair Budget Coalition advocates testified for an equitable and just Budget for DC residents. He believed that work was important work so he also wore an FBC Shirt and held up a sign. He was a complexed person, for many reasons; but most of all he loved and was greatly loved on many levels. At this time, he would say "so long and blessings".

He leaves to cherish his memories: his Ace and Aunt, Charlottie Simpson Jordan his Uncle (Terrence), a host of cousins, special family-like friends and loved ones: Shirley Price & family; Mary E. Williams & family; Margarita Torres, his 'shade tree garage mechanic posse' and Patricia, the garage cat that he fed and watered everyday even if her owner was in town. And that, my dear ones, was just Michael.