Nattie Lee Snuggs

Mr. Nattie Lee "N.L." Snuggs, Jr., 94, peacefully passed away on December 11, 2010 at Gaston Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. Born on August 14, 1916 and raised in Stanly County, North Carolina, Mr. Snuggs was the last surviving child of the late Nattie Lee Snuggs, Sr., and Cornelia Craven Snuggs having been preceded in death by his three brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Bernice Church Snuggs; two daughters, Elizabeth "Libby" Snuggs McAteer and her husband, Porter, and Janet Snuggs Noblett and her husband, Jerry, all of Gastonia; his beloved two granddaughters, Elizabeth Garland Noblett of Raleigh and Sarah Spencer Noblett of Gastonia; several nieces and nephews; and his cats, Tux and Midnight. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 14, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. in Founders Chapel of McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia with the Rev. Don Mason, Rev. C.B. Barr, and Dr. James Westmoreland presiding. Mr. Snuggs will be entombed at Gaston Memorial Park with military rites performed by the World War II Last Man Club of Gaston County. The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00pm prior to the service at McLean Funeral Directors and other times at the home of Janet and Jerry Noblett, 3547 Fieldstone Drive, Gastonia. Mr. Snuggs was a graduate of Norwood High School. He spent his career of over 40 years in power line construction and retired as construction foreman in 1978 from Delta, Inc. of North Carolina. In July 1941, he joined the U.S. Army and served until his honorable discharge in June 1945 serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and Battles at New Guinea and Northern Solomons during World War II. For his service, he received the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. Mr. Snuggs was a member of Faith United Methodist Church, Gastonia, for over 54 years, and a member of the City of Gastonia Farmers Market Board since 1998. Mr. Snuggs was a member of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution, Mecklenburg Chapter, and was presented with the War Service Medal from the National Society Sons of the American Revolution for his service during World War II. Mr. Snuggs was a charter member of the World War II Last Man Club of Gaston County and a member of the Honor Guard. At the time of his death, he was the oldest member of the Last Man Club. He held memberships in the American Legion, Post 23, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9337. Some of his greatest pleasures were spending time with his granddaughters, fishing at the beach, gardening, and watching the Atlanta Braves. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith United Methodist Church, 1511 East Ozark Avenue, Gastonia NC 28054. Condolence messages may be made online at www.McLeanFuneral.com. McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the family of Mr. Snuggs.