Ernestine Musselwhite Sneeden

ERNESTINE MUSSELWHITE SNEEDEN 1925 - 2015 Ernestine Musselwhite Sneeden, 89, died Tuesday, November 17 at Arbor Acres in Winston­-Salem, NC. Ernestine was born in Lumberton, NC to Gertrude Freeman and Troy Musselwhite. She graduated from Lumberton High School and then attended Flora MacDonald College for one year. Ernestine completed her BS in Home Economics at Women's College, now UNC­Greensboro. After a dietitian internship at Vanderbilt University, she worked at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, during which time she met her beloved late husband James Sneeden. She worked at the VA Hospital in Richmond, Virginia during most of their courtship. James and Ernestine began their married life in Wilmington, North Carolina, where they lovingly raised their five children. They were married for 61 years when James passed in 2013. In addition to her parents and husband, Ernestine was preceded in death by two sisters, Edith Parrot and Onita Comer, and granddaughter Rebecca Sneeden. She is survived by her five children: Sara Sneeden, Susan Williford and husband Phil, Lynn Hardison and husband George, James (Jimmy) Sneeden, III (his wife Kim is deceased) and John Sneeden; seven grandchildren: Matthew Williford and wife Natalie, Ross Williford, Zachary Williford, Scott Hardison, Jenna Hardison Fillipone and husband Mike, Michael Sneeden and Edith Sneeden; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was a member and faithful worker at Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmington, NC for most of her life, and also an associate member of Centenary UMC since moving to Winston­-Salem in 2005. She will be remembered for her great love of God and the tenets Her love of family, and her subsequent devotion to her husband and children, were an inspiration to many. Ernestine's mother passed away in her early college years, so Ernestine raised her own five children with very little help. Her children all recall her daily example of unselfishness. She liked a simple life for herself, yet was always interested in her children having a wide variety of experiences. When she did have time left from serving her Lord and family, she loved to read. For most of her adult life, she read a book a day. She also had much love for the friends and neighbors throughout her life, and spoke of them even in her final days. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Robinson Hall in Asbury Place at Arbor Acres, 1240 Arbor Road in Winston-­Salem, NC. Family and friends will gather at a reception immediately following the service outside the Hall. The family would like to acknowledge with deepest gratitude the staff at Arbor View Memory Care for their loving care over most of the past year. Salem Funerals and Cremations at 120 South Main St. is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.